Community groups across the Borough have once again been celebrated for their green-fingered expertise in the 2023 North West In Bloom awards.

The North West In Bloom judges visited various locations across Sefton to see for themselves the fantastic work volunteer groups have been doing. Categories they considered include community involved and environmental quality, looking at litter and highway presentation.

Sefton’s gardening enthusiasts have once again showcased their skills by maintaining flower beds, supporting community initiatives, and creating wonderful displays. The awards also recognise all the hard work volunteers do to keep gardens, streets, alleyways, and greenspaces looking clean, green and beautiful.

Community groups across Sefton

So much so that community groups from all over Sefton have been recognised with a whole host of awards from the In Your Neighbourhood category. From The Poulsom Memorial Garden at Derby Park, Bootle to the Botanic Gardens Community Association, Churchtown and Maghull Station Volunteers, the EDDA community arts and library in Ainsdale and the Paul Weston Garden in Crosby.

A best newcomer award went to Queenscourt Hospice in Southport.

Special recognition was also awarded to Sefton’s In Bloom entrants:

• Ainsdale in Bloom: BIB Core Town Gold and the Preston Silver Dish;
• Southport in Bloom: BIB Core Large Coastal Resort Gold;
• Crosby and Waterloo in Bloom: BIB Core Small Coastal Resort Gold;
• Bootle In Bloom BIB: Core Urban Community Gold.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “The Green Sefton team has been absolutely bowled over by the determination and commitment of our green-fingered community groups and volunteers, taking home over 50 awards this year!

“Not only do their continued efforts help to make our Sefton greener, but they also help to bring communities together making them stronger and happier. Having passionate gardeners across our Borough looking after our valued green spaces has really enhanced our time spent outdoors.

“The scale of dedication in North-West In Bloom is always very high, so these awards are testimony to the hard work of our brilliant volunteers – congratulations to them all. The many groups and individuals who won In Your Neighbourhood awards further reflect the hard work that is put into numerous parks, gardens and open spaces in the community.” 

North West in Bloom

North West in Bloom is the voluntary regional organisation that administers the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Britain in Bloom competition in Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, and is one of the 18 regions and Nations that comprise Britain in Bloom.

Sefton Council’s Green Sefton Service – who help co-ordinate North West in Bloom within the Borough – are encouraging people interested to get involved by emailing greensefton@sefton.gov.uk

For more information on taking a more active role in community gardening the RHS has lots of helpful resources, simply visit: https://www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/community-gardening

 

Full list of awards

NORTH WEST IN BLOOM DISCRETIONARY AWARDS 2023

Best Town Ainsdale in Bloom

Most Improved Award Bootle in Bloom

Chairman's Award in Memory of Bill Blackledge MBE  Brenda & Ken Porter, Ainsdale

 

Britain in Bloom/ North West Award

Ainsdale in Bloom BIB Core Town Gold and the Preston Silver Dish

Southport in Bloom BIB Core Large Coastal Resort Gold

Crosby and Waterloo in Bloom BIB Core Small Coastal Resort Gold

Bootle In Bloom BIB Core Urban Community Gold

 

Discretionary Awards

Best Newcomer Award Queenscourt Hospice - Garden Volunteers, Southport

Highly Commended Award Cheyne Close, Sefton 

Highly Commended Award Colette, Asda Community Champion (bootle)

'Grow Your Own' Award Bridge Inn Community Farm, Formby

Keiron Moss Award Botanic Gardens Community Association, Southport (for Best Bedding plant display)

5 Year Awards Group NWIB Five Years Outstanding IYN Certificate Bridge Inn Community Farm, Formby

 

In your Neighbourhoods awards

WW1 D Bed, Crosby IYN Neighbourhood Level 3 - Advancing

Ainsdale Village Bloomers, Ainsdale IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding Ainsdale Village Community Garden, Ainsdale IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding

Ash Street Memorial Garden, Bootle IYN Neighbourhood Level 4 - Thriving

Blooming Oxford Gardens, Bootle IYN Neighbourhood Level 4 - Thriving

Botanic Gardens Community Association, Southport IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding 

Bowersdale Resource Centre, Seaforth IYN Neighbourhood Level 3 - Advancing

Boyer Court Garden Club, Maghull IYN Neighbourhood Level 4 - Thriving

Bridge Inn Community Farm, Formby IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding

Cheyne Close, Sefton IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding

Crosby Rotary 1959 Garden, Sefton IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding

Derby Park Community Volunteers - The Poulsom Memorial Garden, Bootle IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding

East Street Triangle, Crosby IYN Neighbourhood Level 4 - Thriving

EDDA Community Arts and Library, Ainsdale IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding

Friends of Ainsdale Village Park, Ainsdale IYN Neighbourhood Level 3 - Advancing 

Friends of Alexandra and Coronation Parks, Crosby IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding

Friends of Bedford Park, Birkdale, Southport IYN Neighbourhood Level 3 - Advancing

Friends of Hatton Hill, Litherland IYN Neighbourhood Level 4 - Thriving

Friends of High Park's Green Spaces, Southport IYN Neighbourhood Level 4 - Thriving

Friends of Merrilocks Park, Blundellsands IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding

Friends of Rotten Row, Southport IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding

Friends of Victoria Park, Crosby IYN Neighbourhood Level 3 - Advancing

Friends of Waterloo Seafront Gardens, Crosby IYN Neighbourhood Level 3 - Advancing

Hesketh Park Gardening Volunteers, Southport IYN Neighbourhood Level 4 - Thriving

Independence Initiative, Bootle IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding

Litherland in Bloom, Bootle IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding (Litherland Youth and Community Center)

Maghull Station Volunteers, Maghull IYN Railway Station IYN Level 5 - Outstanding

Marsh and Northfield Community Garden, Bootle IYN Neighbourhood Level 3 - Advancing

Mere Park Residents, Crosby IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding

North Park Community Garden, Bootle IYN Neighbourhood Level 4 - Thriving

Paul Weston Garden, Enfield Avenue, Crosby IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding

Queenscourt Hospice - Garden Volunteers, Southport IYN Hospice/Residential Home Level 5 - Outstanding

South Park Community Garden, Bootle IYN Neighbourhood Level 3 - Advancing

St Luke's Church, Crosby IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding

St Michael's Church, Blundellsands, Crosby IYN Neighbourhood Level 5 - Outstanding

Thornton, Sefton in Bloom, Crosby IYN Neighbourhood Level 4 - Thriving

Waterloo Community Forest Garden, Waterloo IYN Neighbourhood Level 4 - Thriving

Woodlands and Durham Road Community Garden, Seaforth IYN Neighbourhood Level 3 - Advancing