Woolton Wins the Gold (Garston and Halewood Liberal Democrats)

Garston and Halewood Liberal Democrats <info@garstonld.org.uk>

Woolton Wins the Gold

September 25, 2008 12:00 AM

At an award ceremony last night (24 September) in Chester, it was named one of the best in the country in the large village category of the 2008 competition, run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

Inspectors were wowed when they visited the village in August to carry out the judging for the display, which has the theme "Local Roots".

It includes a horse and cart feature on the Kings Drive/Speke Road junction reflecting Woolton's roots in the sandstone quarrying industry; a striking new raised flower bed on Menlove Avenue and more than 100 immaculately maintained planters and hanging baskets dotted around the village.

Joint chair of Woolton in Bloom, Councillor Barbara Collinge, said: "We were absolutely bowled over when the judges announced we had won Gold.

"Woolton's greatest asset is its community spirit and we have gone the extra mile this year to put on a wonderful display. This is a fantastic result for everyone who has worked so hard.

"This is not just something we put on for the judges - we finance and organise spectacular floral displays and sustainable environmental improvements, including permanent planting and wildlife habitats all year round.

"We also encourage local school children to play their part by taking part in litter picks and planting wildflowers and bulbs."

The village was also nominated in two other categories, 'public parks' for Reynolds Park and Woolton Woods and 'tourism' for using its flowers and planting displays to attract visitors.

Councillor Berni Turner, executive member for the environment, said: "This is brilliant news in our year as European Capital of Culture and shows that the suburbs of the city really are as stunning as our world famous landmarks.

"The award is a great springboard into 2009 during which we will be celebrating the Year of the Environment in Liverpool. The aim now is to build on the success this year."

Woolton has a successful track record for colourful displays, and in 2006 won a Silver Gilt in the competition.

Details of all of the winners are available at: www.rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom/Finalists/winners_2008.html