Blooming Lovely!

Herefordshire has struck gold in this years Britain in Bloom competition, with four golds and a silver gilt for Hereford City and the market towns.

It means visitors, workers and those who live in the County have been able to enjoy a colourful and clean environment throughout the summer.

The regional results of the Bloom competition, announced on Friday, were:

· Hereford: Gold
· Ross: Gold
· Ledbury: Gold
· Bromyard: Gold
· Leominster: Silver Gilt

And if this wasn’t enough, Hereford has now been given a special award for the management of litter because last year’s high standard was maintained and improved.

“This is fantastic news for the whole of Herefordshire and a credit to Herefordshire Jarvis Services whose staff have painstakingly cared for all the floral displays we’ve been able to enjoy in recent months,” said Cllr Roy Stockton, Cabinet Member (Community Services).

“It’s been a real joy on my travels around the county to see the beautiful colour and serenity these floral displays add to our streets, shopping centres and open spaces.

“They’ve added a splash of colour to the lives of all those who live, work and visit the County and I’m sure that, just as the Britain in Bloom judges were impressed with the display, so holidaymakers and tourists will go away with colourful memories of Herefordshire.”

Cllr Stockton also paid tribute to members of HJS staff whose work had resulted in Hereford landing the special award for the management of litter.

“It’s a credit to their hard work and determination that the city centre has been kept so clear of litter, however this is a perennial problem and I’d ask all those who use the city not to drop litter.”

Trevor Swindells, Secretary of Hereford in Bloom, and Chairman of Herefordshire in Bloom, was equally over the moon with the results.

“I’m personally delighted because this is my last year and to have three golds on the trot was absolutely great.

“I hope that Hereford will continue to enter the competition and strive for the position that Shrewsbury has this year of being the category winner – then you go into national competition and the effects for tourism could be tremendous,” he added.

Trevor also turned his attention to the litter award: “Litter is an on going problem that gets worse by the year.

“The answer is in all our hands. The staff of the Council can only pick it up, stopping people dropping it in the first place is the ultimate answer,” he added.

Mike Williams, HJS Project Director, said: “Herefordshire Jarvis Services (HJS) are not only delighted with the outcome of this year's competition but also with the way everyone involved worked together as a team to achieve such high standards.

“The competition is not just about the floral displays, which this year looked splendid, but also about clean streets. HJS is therefore particularly pleased to be receiving the Litter Award for the cleanest Village, Town or City,” added Mike.