Celebrations are underway in Erewash as Long Eaton and Ilkeston once again proved to be real ‘silver stars’ in this year’s prestigious East Midlands in Bloom competition.

Both towns were awarded a highly-prized Silver medal in the Large Town Category of the annual competition when the results were announced at Northampton Guild Hall this month.

It is the second successive year that the two towns have secured the ‘silver double’ for Erewash in the biggest and most coveted category in the competition – which attracts entries from towns across the region.

Impressed judges were bowled over by Erewash Borough Council’s colourful planting schemes and its continued commitment to work all year with local children, residents and businesses to improve the environment through the successful Pride in Erewash Campaign.

Councillor Barbara Harrison, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for the Environment, said:

“We are delighted that both Long Eaton and Ilkeston have again achieved such success and I salute all those who work tirelessly throughout the year to brighten our environment and to keep Erewash clean and welcoming. The hard work that goes into planning, developing and maintaining the wonderful floral displays deserves recognition and I also salute and thank the many residents and schoolchildren who play such an important part in making our towns and villages bloom.

 “The Silver awards clearly indicate the real community spirit we have here in Erewash. This success could not be achieved without those splendid volunteers who help increase civic pride by working with us to care for our towns, villages, parks and wildlife areas.”

The regional East Midlands in Bloom judges visited Ilkeston and Long Eaton in July and were given a tour of both the towns – and highlighted the overall cleanliness of both centres in their final judging.  In their report they also give particular praise to Ilkeston’s Friends of Stanton Road Cemetery group for their commitment to preserving the heritage of the site for future generations and to Long Eaton Horticultural Society members for their continued hard work to support the East Midlands in Bloom initiative.

The judges also praised the many local organisations and others who take part in the Bloom initiative through the Council’s Pride in Erewash Campaign and were particularly impressed by Pride’s commitment to working with local schools to encourage environmental awareness.

Visits to Long Eaton Library grounds, Long Eaton School, West Park and to Ilkeston’s Hallam Fields Junior School and Straws Bridge Nature area were also among sites that got a definite ‘thumbs up’ from the judges.

Other highlights from the judges’ report include:

Ilkeston

• The judges described the Council’s redevelopment of Victoria Park and its new planting scheme as ‘commendable’ and praised the planting scheme at White Lion Square roundabout as an attractive focal point when entering the town.
• The scheme to lessen the impact of empty shops in the town centre by providing art depicting local heritage and history was applauded as a good ‘feelgood’ initiative.
• The impressive 7ft wood sculpture of the ‘Ilkeston Giant’ at Stanton Road Cemetery and the securing of the Lottery Grant and funding for on-going project work to develop the site as a wildlife haven was singled out as very impressive.

Long Eaton

• Judges described Long Eaton Library grounds as offering ‘an oasis of colour and tranquillity’ and also praised the vibrant colours in this year’s town centre bedding scheme.
• The near-complete renovation of the Market Place was described as ‘an exciting project for the town’.
• The judges were impressed with the town’s recycling commitment and also applauded as ‘commendable’ the Council’s environmental initiatives of peat free growing with biological pest control at West Park nursery.

Did you know?  The Council’s parks team grow, care for and plant more than 120,000 seasonal bedding plants per year that are then used in specially-designed planting schemes on traffic islands and in our parks.