Amersham in Bloom wins gold in RHS Britain in Bloom

The judges from the Royal Horticultural Society were impressed by Amersham’s sustainable flower displays and community engagement efforts.

Announced on BBC’s The One Show on Monday, Amersham in Bloom took home the coveted Britain in Bloom gold prize.

Chair of the RHS Britain in Bloom judges Darren Share said: “Congratulations to all the finalists for putting on such impressive displays this year while embracing sustainable horticulture.

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"We enjoyed seeing the forward-thinking ways groups are working to make their planting more resilient to climate change and also contributing to carbon reduction in their communities. 

“Amersham were well-deserving winners, with their stunning horticulture backed up with a holistic approach to benefiting nature and the environment.”

Wildflower meadow in Stanley Hill cemetery (Credit: Amersham Town Council) (Image: Amersham Town Council)

The Memorial Garden with its tactile sensory displays, rose garden and a green wall, which allowed the community to meet in a peaceful setting, was deemed as the crown jewel of Amersham.

This year judges focused increasingly on the environment and sustainability.

Amersham team had taken care to ensure flowering varieties year-round, including 25,000 bulbs in spring, swapping out short lived annuals and increasing wildflowers by 30 percent.

Amersham Memorial Gardens (Credit: RHS/Suzanne Plunkett) (Image: RHS/Suzanne Plunkett)

The group’s innovative community engagement involved all local schools, and children aged three to six received a packet of bee-friendly seeds.

This was recognised with the judges’ discretionary award for sustainable gardening and children and young people participation.

Amersham Town Council thanked the "amazing" Amersham in Bloom team for their "remarkable year," Amersham in Bloom coordinator Steve Catanach said.

They said: "Amersham is sparkling like never before which is a testament to the effort and determination of the dedicated bloom volunteers, 1st Chesham Bois Scout Leaders (led by Andy Honour), the many local businesses that supported our efforts, local schools, Buckinghamshire Council, community groups and my wonderful colleagues at the Council.

Beaver Scouts planting flowers (Credit: Amersham Town Council) (Image: Amersham Town Council)

"It is a privilege to work with so many inspiring individuals and groups, who together work to improve our wonderful town." 

Rachel de Thame, presenting the awards, commented: “It has been fantastic to celebrate gardening groups from across the UK who contribute so much to their communities.

"From helping wildlife, to engaging young people in the power of plants and helping grow a green future, all of the volunteers work tirelessly to create areas local people can be proud of.

"Britain is most certainly blooming.”

The Pondwicks Community Orchard and Nature Area in Amersham (Credit: RHS/Suzanne Plunkett) (Image: RHS/Suzanne Plunkett)

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