Community celebration at the Corn Exchange
The annual Newbury In Bloom awards returned to the Corn Exchange on 9 September, drawing residents, volunteers and local groups to celebrate horticultural achievement across the town. Organisers said a total of 60 entries across eight categories were submitted this year, with all entrants invited to the presentation.
Winners were presented with a certificate, a £100 prize from sponsors and a distinctive burn-etched garden dibber handcrafted by Tim Holmes of the Men’s Sheds Association and finished by pyrography artist Naomi Lunn. The ceremony also highlighted a wider accomplishment for Newbury: four parks in West Berkshire were awarded Green Flag status earlier this year, a national benchmark recognising high standards of park management.
Winners and local impact
Organisers and judges praised the breadth of entries, from allotments to miniature gardens. The competition aims to encourage upkeep of private and communal green space while promoting biodiversity and civic pride.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Schools & Colleges | John Rankin Schools |
| Allotments | Jane French-Drayton (Plot 18, Wash Common) |
| Front Gardens | Alice Fogg (‘Passing By’) |
| Community Project | Secret Garden Project: Globe Garden |
| Businesses | Bill’s in Market Place |
| Places of Worship | St Nicolas’ Church |
| Neighbourhoods | Lower Raymond Almshouses |
| Miniature Garden | Marion Fenn (‘Bring Me Sunshine’) |
The event offered recognition for a range of participants, from well-established community groups to individual allotment holders. Judges singled out Jane French-Drayton’s Plot 18 on Wash Common for the Best Allotments award and Marion Fenn’s miniature garden for its strong colour theme.
Local pride and wider recognition
In addition to individual awards, the evening marked the town’s success in securing Green Flag status for four parks: Northcroft and Goldwell Park, Linear Park, Victoria Park and the City Recreation Ground. The Green Flag accreditation is used nationally to identify well-managed parks and green spaces.
“Newbury looks spectacular all year round, and it’s wonderful to see so many people putting in the extra effort to
The comment was made by Ian Jee, chair of the town council’s Green Spaces Working Group, during the presentation. His remarks underlined the central role that volunteers and local organisations play in maintaining Newbury’s public realm.
- 60 entries across eight categories showcased the town’s gardening and community efforts.
- Winners received a certificate, a handcrafted burn-etched dibber and a £100 prize from sponsors.
- Four Newbury parks now hold Green Flag status, marking them among the country's recognised green spaces.
For many entrants, the awards serve as both reward and encouragement. Allotment holders and community gardeners frequently rely on volunteer labour and small-scale funding; recognition from Newbury In Bloom can bolster applications for grants and help secure local support for ongoing maintenance projects. Businesses that invested in green displays, such as Bill’s in Market Place, benefit from improved street scene and potential footfall, organisers say.
Officials emphasised that the competition is open to all parts of the town and is intended to be inclusive. The combination of cash awards and handcrafted keepsakes recognises both the practical and cultural value of the work. With the next growing season already on the horizon, organisers hope the awards will inspire further involvement from schools, community groups and individual gardeners.
Full details of entrants and judging criteria are retained by the organisers, who also use the event to work with partners on longer-term green space planning in the town. For residents, the competition remains a visible celebration of local volunteers and a prompt to enjoy and protect Newbury’s green assets.
