Lichfield has landed a silver award in the Heart of England in Bloom contest.
The competition, which is run by the Royal Horticultural Society, recognises the green-fingered efforts of local areas across the region.
Richard Lewis, President of the Chamber of Trade & Commerce explains: “This is the first year we have entered and we are absolutely delighted to have been awarded a treasured Silver Gilt award.
“We work really hard with the city and district councils, along with businesses across the city, to make Lichfield a beautiful place to live and visit, but we really never expected to be recognised in this way the first time we entered, so we’re overjoyed.”
The team welcomed the judges to Lichfield in July and took them on a guided tour of the city, including Dam Street, Cathedral Close and Three Spires Shopping Centre that were rich in red, white and blue colours, thanks to festive bunting and Jubilee-themed hanging baskets. They also visited Minster Pool Walk, Museum Gardens, Beacon Park, and the Garden of Remembrance, all of which have benefited from the recent renovation of the city parks and were a riot of summer colours in their formal planting.
The judges also strolled around Erasmus Darwin House herb garden, St John’s Hospital garden, Tempest Ford on St John’s Street, and Friday Acre in north Lichfield. They ended the visit at The Plant Plot Garden Nursery on the Western Bypass, where the judges enjoyed meeting gardeners and looking at Dave’s Community Allotment. They also heard from the team at Lichfield District Council about their approach to street cleanliness, recycling, conservation and biodiversity.
Richard added: “We are looking forward to entering next year’s competition and are hoping that we might be able to better this year with a gold award.
“We are planning on forming a Lichfield in Bloom Committee. If anyone is interested in joining, please contact me on 01543 251006.”
