On Friday 28th October at the Britain in Bloom Award Ceremony , Civic Pride were finally made aware of how much the Royal Horticultural Society were prepared to recognise the dedication, inspiration and sheer hard graft shown by all their hardworking volunteers and supporters.
Eight members of Civic Pride travelled to Southport to learn their fate and this is how their day went…
After coffee we took our places at the lunch table whilst winners of specific competitions were announced – including Best Newcomer, Civic Pride Rawtenstall!
That was it for us for the morning session although our hands were burning from clapping the worthy winners of so many other awards.
A pleasant three course was followed by the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards’ where we won Silver Gilt in the Urban Community sector. No mean feat with 13 gardens to create, maintain and show off to their best. Well done and thank you all.
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Chair, Chris Blomeley said; “‘The prestigious Royal Horticultural Society have acknowledged Civic Pride Rossendale’s volunteers with two separate awards? Well, dead right! Out of well over 100 entries, only 3 other groups managed 2 awards. CP’s “Best Newcomer” award, together with the Silver Gilt medal for the overall standard across the town, is a marvellous achievement, especially considering that the majority of competitors were either wholly professional outfits or had at least some paid staff. Civic Pride Rossendale is entirely run by volunteers, local folk in their own time making our town a lovely place to be in. It’s a real privilege to be associated with such a dedicated and determined community organisation and I wish publicly to thank every single one of ’em! These awards are mainly for the many gardens which CP has resurrected and now maintains. But let’s not forget Civic Pride’s litter-picking crews, out there 365 days a year, who contribute massively to the area’s appearance.”
Well done to al the Civic Pride Team from everyone here at Rossendale Borough Council!