Haywards Heath blossoms to take awards

Rain cannot stop some of the Bolnore team celebrating gold

The town is celebrating one of its biggest clutches of honours for its outstanding displays and community participation.

Bolnore Village community topped the honours, again winning gold and being awarded overall winner in the urban community category for the third year running. It scored 177 out of a possible 200 marks for horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.

‘Blooming Bolnore’ team members Julia Blunnie and Al McPherson accepted the awards at Tunbridge Wells.

Simon Lanaway, team member, said:“We are absolutely delighted to accept this prestigious award on behalf of the village and our various supporters and volunteers.

“For a relatively young and new community like ours to achieve what we have in just three years is fantastic and a

real testament to all those involved”. The village will now have to wait until October 11 when it will find out how its efforts have paid off nationally when the results of this years’ “Britain in Bloom” competition are announced at the awards ceremony in Cleethorpes.

There were celebrations at the Town Hall in Boltro Road, too.

Haywards Heath won Silver Gilt in the Large Town category, The Orchards Shopping Centre won Silver Gilt in the Town Centre category,Muster Green won Gold in the Small Parks of the year category, and

Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow won Level Four, thriving in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category.

Cllr Sandy Ellis, chairman of Haywards Heath in Bloom, said: “I thank the committee who have worked extremely hard and it’s been a real team effort by everyone at Haywards Heath Town Council. I also thank West Sussex County Council for the support with the grants we received which enabled us to achieve the success we have had in this year’s competition. Not forgetting the Haywards Heath Town Council grounds staff who strive to keep our town so beautifully in bloom.’

Of 2000 regional entries, 80 finalists go through to the national “Britain in Bloom” competition run by the Royal Horticultural Society. Based on its success in last years’ competition, Bolnore was judged for Britain in Bloom in early August and awaits results. Pictured are “Blooming Bolnore” team members Simon Lanaway, Julia Blunnie, Al Mcpherson and Carlos Leon with their South and South East certificate and trophy.