The driving force behind Bury St Edmunds’ success in the Anglia in Bloom competition says she “still can’t quite believe it” after the town scooped the top prize at the prestigious floral awards.
Melanie Lesser, Bury in Bloom coordinator, says she has been inundated with messages of congratulations following the awards ceremony last week, which saw the town win best overall entry and the Anglia in Bloom trophy.
Bury also received first prize in the large town category – for populations between 12,001 and 35,000 – and picked up an award for environmental quality.
Abbey Gardens – where volunteers gathered for a photograph yesterday to celebrate the success – was also recognised with a gold award along with Nowton Park in the large parks category.
Melanie said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. I still can’t quite believe it. So many people have been in contact since the award and there have been lots of lovely comments on social media from people saying how much they love Bury.
“It really has brought Bury St Edmunds to the fore with all the media attention, the town has received since the awards.”
Melanie also paid tribute to the team of around 500 volunteers at Bury in Bloom for their work in securing the town’s floral crown.
She said: “Everyone has worked so hard and I wanted to thank the worker bees behind the award – the gardeners and workers around the town who have put in so much effort.”
The Bury in Bloom team will have to wait until November 9 to find out whether the town will be entered into the national Britain in Bloom awards for 2018.
But the independent charity is keen not to rest on its laurels, and Melanie says the underpass from the multi-storey car park into town is a potential project.
She said: “There is more work we want to do. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) have ‘grey to green’ projects, which look to transform areas in need of some colour.
“I have been contacted by a group who are looking to do some work at the underpass, which is great.
“More and more people keep coming forward wanting to help and there is a real sense of pride and love for Bury St Edmunds.”
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