Erewash Blooms With Winning Ways Again!

Long Eaton and Ilkeston have both proved to have some award winning flower power once again – by scooping more top honours in the prestigious East Midlands in Bloom competition.

Both towns triumphed when the winners of the annual extravaganza were announced at an awards ceremony at the Council House in Nottingham on Wednesday. (10th September)

Long Eaton was awarded the Silver honour for the second consecutive year in the Large Town category, while Ilkeston achieved an impressive bronze award.

And the two towns received more acclaim, both winning a Judge’s Special Award – Long Eaton for the town centre environmental improvements and Ilkeston’s Victoria Court Nursing Home for innovative planting and outstanding maintenance.

News of the success sparked celebrations all round, with Erewash Borough Council Leader, Cllr Chris Corbett, saying: “I’m delighted that we have achieved more success in East Midlands in Bloom. The competition is all about the community working together, so these awards are a tribute to the hard work put in by our staff and the many businesses and residents who have helped ensure that both towns look wonderful and welcoming.

“We should all be rightly proud of this success – and be proud of our borough. Our Pride in Erewash Campaign is at the forefront of driving home the message that by working together, we really can make a difference . . . and this proves it.

“I am sure residents, schools and businesses will join us in welcoming this success and will continue to support our Pride in Erewash Campaign as we move forward together to make Erewash a cleaner and safer place in which to live and work.”

The judges heaped praise on both towns and highlighted the general standard of cleanliness they saw during the tour and praised the council’s Neighbourhood Wardens for work in dealing with litter and anti-social behaviour.

The town’s floral displays on the traffic islands were also praised and the Pride in Erewash Campaign was singled out for its positive impace on both towns and for its work with the community.

Other comments included:
Long Eaton:
• Praise for the floral displays around the town hall and outside Longmoor Cemetery on Longmoor Lane and applause for the council’s role in encouraging young and disabled people to play an active role in planting.
• Judges were impressed by the landscaping in Long Eaton library grounds, the new improvements around St Laurence’s Church and described as ‘exemplary’ the play provision and landscaping at West Park.
• Praise for Long Eaton School and its environmental campaigns and ‘green’ status

Ilkeston:

• Judges praised the general quality of ‘home grown’ plants across the town and the hanging baskets outside the Bull’s Head pub and in Victoria Park. Victoria Court Nursing Home was singled out for its ‘superb planting’.
• Landscaping work and sports provision at Rutland Sports Park was applauded along with the good maintenance standards of many residential areas.

East Midlands in Bloom is an annual competition organised by the EMIB Regional Committee, and is the Regional Competition of Britain in Bloom.

The competition encourages the improvement of our surroundings through the imaginative use of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscaping – and aims to help towns and villages strive for a litter free and sustainable environment.

                                                                      ENDS