Published: Tuesday, 29th October 2019
Hunstanton won gold at the annual Britain in Bloom awards that took place at the RHS Lindley Hall in London on Friday 25 October 2019.
Accepting the gold award in the coastal category, Cllr Carol Bower from the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have won gold.
“I’d like to give a big thank you to a fantastic group. The Friends of the Heritage Gardens, co-ordinated by Roger Partridge as part of the wonderful group of volunteers in Hunstanton, as well as the support and guidance of the borough council groundsmen led by Chris Durham, and the Adopt-a-Bedders. Many businesses were also very supportive. It was great teamwork.”
Judges praised the town’s Esplanade Gardens as a “real joy” and its community orchard and efforts to reduce plastic use through awareness-raising displays also impressed.
Cllr Bower said: “There’s going to be more next year. We’ve got lots of ideas, we’re bubbling with them. We just want to keep up the momentum.”
On Monday 28 October the Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, Cllr Geoff Hipperson, hosted a reception at King’s Lynn Town Hall for the many ‘In Bloom’ and heritage volunteers from across the borough.
Cllr Elizabeth Nockolds, deputy leader and cabinet portfolio holder for culture, heritage and health, who attended the reception, said: “Hunstanton winning gold at the Britain in Bloom awards is excellent news for the town. I’m delighted that some of the volunteers are here at the town hall.
“It’s wonderful to see 180 volunteers being thanked by the mayor at this reception. Within the ‘In Bloom’ initiatives here are many community groups and individuals taking care of our environment by looking after our gardens, planting trees and litter picking in King’s Lynn, Hunstanton, Downham Market and other parts of our borough. Additionally many of the volunteers who open up and look after the heritage buildings around the borough are rightly being recognised.”