In addition to picking up a Gold award, for the third year running, at the North West In Bloom awards ceremony on Friday, 28th October, Wilmslow was also recognised with four other awards.
The day before a group of volunteers who came together in 2004 with the aim of protecting, maintaining and enhancing The Carrs park received a Gold award from the Royal Horticultural Society.
The Friends of the Carrs were given a Level 5 'Outstanding' award on Thursday, October 27th, a step up from last year's Level 4 classified as 'thriving' in the RHS 'It's Your Neighbourhood' competition which runs alongside Britain in Bloom and awards community groups for cleaning up and greening up their local environment.
Chair of the Friends Ian Baillie said "We were delighted to go even one better than last year's achievement of a level 4 certificate, and we see this as a great reward for all our efforts over the year and a recognition of what a valuable resource the Carrs Country Park is for Wilmslow. When the RHS judges visited us in July, the sun was shining, the grass was freshly cut, families were picnicking, children were playing in the play areas and in the sparklingly clean river, and the benches were occupied by people of all ages just enjoying being there. And there wasn't a speck of litter to be seen!"
Anna and Mikey Sharples at The Carters Arms on Chapel Lane also impressed the judges with their lovely floral display which won a Gold award for Best Small Accommodation.
Anna explained "We were a refreshment stop for the judges when they came to judge Wilmslow in the Small Town category. They saw our floral display and were greatly impressed, so urged us to enter the pub into to competition. We then got an invite to the awards ceremony where we were shocked and thrilled to win a GOLD award."
She added "Our floral display has been the talk of our customers over the summer, with many passers by popping in to comment on how much they love the display, and how it has improved the overall look and feel of the area.
"We have really enjoyed creating the display and are proud it has been recognised so highly by Britain In Bloom.
"We are already planning next years display, and hope to make it bigger and better!"
Meanwhile the Chapel Lane Business Group. In their first year of entry they were awarded a Level 4 'thriving' alongside the United Reform Church, with the same great result, a Level 4.
Julie Dawn Potts commented "Chapel Lane Business Group are thrilled to receive a Level 4 'Thriving' Neighbourhood Award from the North West Britain in Bloom - 'Thriving' encapsulates everything that we are trying to achieve along Chapel Lane, to create a vibrancy and awareness to the lovely village shops and community we have here.
"I encouraged all Chapel Lane Businesses and local residents to join in with the Butterflies and Bees theme of this event and bring the community together by putting out planters and baskets, along with hanging bunting outside businesses and residents properties along the lane, we also produced banners which we put up within the shop windows saying 'Chapel Lane Welcomes the Britain In Bloom Judges'."
Wilmslow United Reformed Church has a devoted team of volunteer gardeners to tend the gardens surrounding the church. They recruited the assistance of the children who attend their monthly Messy Church gatherings who rose enthusiastically to the challenge, producing a number of models to enhance the flowers that were selected for being especially attractive to bees and butterflies.
Rev. Dr Kirsty Thorpe, Minister of the Church, commented "The whole church is delighted to receive this award. A wide range of people, from all age groups, were involved with making our gardens look bright and beautiful. While this award is delightful our main reason for working on our grounds is giving pleasure to everyone passing by on Chapel Lane."
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All towns need to be good at something and at the base level, leaving us and our visitors with a warm glow, is an aspiration that many residents enthusiastically contribute to.