Awards for Leamington’s Parks and Gardens

The Leamington in Bloom Group, supported by Leamington Spa Town Council, scooped a 7th consecutive Gold Medal at last month’s Heart of England in Bloom Awards attended by the Mayor of Royal Leamington Spa (Cllr Judith Clarke) and Caroline Evetts from the Leamington in Bloom Group.

Heart of England judges visited parks and gardens in locations across the town in July including the Holt, Midland Oak Rec, James Hirons Care Home, Paintings Plantation, Leamington Railway Station, Christchurch Gardens and Jephson Gardens, with the judging taking into account measures being taken by the custodians to improve biodiversity and natural habitats as well as the more formal flower displays.

Jephson Gardens, which is maintained by Warwick District Council was granted a ‘Heart of England Landscape Award’ with Green Space Development Officer, Jon Holmes, who will be retiring from the Council in May after 50 years, being presented with an Outstanding Achievement Award for establishing and maintaining the extremely high standard of Jephson Gardens and dozens of other public spaces across the district.

Cllr Judith Clarke, Mayor of Leamington said: “This is excellent news for our beautiful town. I congratulate and thank those who are working hard all year round to make Leamington Spa colourful and attractive for residents and visitors alike. It has been the town’s privilege and a great source of pride to have been awarded Gold, the highest accolade that can be bestowed on the ‘small city’ category for the last six years and now notching up a seventh year. Since the judges last visit, the Leamington in Bloom team, in partnership with Warwick District Council and the town’s gardening groups, schools, care homes, residents, shops, pubs, clubs and community gardening groups have found new ways to enhance and develop the town’s beauty, whilst being increasing mindful to put the well-being and preservation of the planet and its wildlife first.”

Cllr Will Roberts, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood at Warwick District Council added:
“Jon Holmes has dedicated his life to caring for the district’s wonderful green spaces. Long before the Council’s Biodiversity Action Programme was put in place Jon has been evolving and improving the way in which our plants are grown, and habitats are maintained and preserved, so they are not only beautiful but benefit wildlife too, from annual bulb planting, the installation of over 600 bird boxes, the introduction of meadows and flower rich grasslands, to nesting rafts and creation of habitats for a range of insects. We are eternally grateful for the foundations he has laid and lasting legacy he will leave for future generations.”