READING has been awarded a prestigious Gold Award in the 2019 Royal Horticultural Society’s
(RHS) 55th annual Britain in Bloom community gardening competition.

The RHS Britain in Bloom judges announced the winners of each category and finalists’ final 
score at an awards ceremony held at the RHS Lindley Hall in London on Friday 26th October 2019.

The judges visited the town in July and were impressed with the work that had been carried out to
“unite communities, volunteers and gardeners.”

They said their Reading tour most certainly had “a wow factor and showed consistently the heritage, horticultural, community and business passion that unites this entry.” The judges saw: “…excellent and extensive evidence of pride of place and how Reading is as a city. From the moment the judges stepped off the train and throughout the tour we saw excellent examples of civic pride.”

The judges noted Reading “demonstrated strongly their commitment to being a sustainable city,” and were impressed with “Some 56 hectares of wildflowers have been introduced to the borough and that these are being rolled out extensively on verges.” 

There was praise for displays in Caversham Court Gardens, the Forbury and the Abbey Ruins and for the town centre and Oracle Shopping Centre’s floral displays. The judges also noted Green Park as “an excellent example of biodiversity management in a business setting.”

The judges were impressed by examples of community activities at Erleigh Road Community Garden and at Reading Old Cemetery in east Reading, the engagement of schoolchildren in gardening at Geoffrey Field Junior School in south Reading and from students at the University of Reading.

The judges summarised Reading’s entry: “From the town centre BID, The Oracle shopping centre, the gardening and street teams along with community groups, schools and a very committed Borough team and Reading in Bloom committee…..The support demonstrated has highlighted that Reading is going from strength to strength and this dedication has been reflected in awarding of a RHS Britain in Bloom Gold Medal.”

Marc Allridge, Reading in Bloom’s chairman, said: “The whole Reading in Bloom committee is delighted with this result – it is an amazing achievement.

“I am particularly pleased as this is my first year as chairman. Reading really did blossom this year from the private and community gardens to businesses and allotments and the judges saw a town that really embraces its green spaces. We may be a hi tech city in all but name but we still allow nature to flourish. We thank all who contributed to our success even in a small way, and to our sponsors and supporters. Everyone can be very proud.”

Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading’s Lead Member for Culture, Heritage and Recreation, said: “This is an fantastic accolade for Reading and one we should be extremely proud of. To achieve Gold in the national awards for the first time is wonderful news for the town. I’m particularly pleased the judges noted the work we’ve carried out on sustainability and biodiversity throughout the borough."