Islington keeps London In Bloom crown for second year running

Islington's green-fingered gardeners have potted and pruned their way to the top once again, winning London In Bloom's prestigious Borough Of The Year award for the second year running.
 
The competition pits London's boroughs against one another to see whose communities can bring their gardens, green spaces, verges and forgotten corners to glorious life, and celebrates the work of councils, communities, residents and businesses to improve the environment of London.
 
The Borough Of The Year award was collected by Islington Council’s Parks service. The entry was sponsored by Islington Gardeners, a group of committed residents who protect and enhance green spaces within the borough.
 
Islington residents were also recognised in five other categories of the competition.
 
The borough came top in City Group B, with The Arlington Association gaining recognition in the ‘Clean And Green For The Queen’ themed category.
 
In all, 14 green spaces in the borough received recognition in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ programme, and four landed ‘Outstanding’ awards.
 
Cllr Claudia Webbe, executive member for environment and transport, said: “This is fantastic news for everyone in Islington – residents and visitors alike enjoy the best green spaces in the capital and can reap all the benefits of blooming and cared-for streets in their neighbourhood, too.
 
“Heartfelt thanks must go to the army of volunteers whose passion and commitment right through the year has helped Islington to keep its enviable crown, and I’m sure I speak for many in expressing my gratitude to our hard-working parks and open spaces staff as well.
 
“Islington has the least green space per person in London, which is perhaps why we are all so committed to keeping it flourishing.”
 
Chair of Islington Gardeners, Jennifer Chamberlain, said: “Islington Gardeners are proud to have sponsored the borough's entry into London In Bloom again, and are thrilled that they have achieved a gold medal for the second year running in the 'city' category.
 
“To have also won the award for London Borough Of The Year for a second time is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Greenspace team in greening up all the available spaces in this most urban of boroughs.” 


Notes to editors

Notes to editor

Full results for Islington:

The London in Bloom Borough of the Year Award 2016 – Islington Gardeners

City Group B – Islington Gardeners, Gold & Winner

Small Park of the Year – Arlington Association, Silver Gilt

The London in Bloom Clean & Green for the Queen Award – Arlington Association

Our Community – Arlington Association, Silver Gilt

It's Your Neighbourhood awards:

Priory House - Establishing 
St George's House Garden Group - Establishing
The Granville Square Gardeners - Establishing 
Crayford Road Gardeners - Advancing
Lever Street Community Garden - Advancing
Centre 404 Garden - Thriving
Friends of Pen Road Gardens/Pen Road Residents Association - Thriving 
Holloway Neighbourhood Group Old Fire Station - Thriving 
Holloway Neighbourhood Group Stress Project - Thriving 
St Luke's Gardening Group - Thriving 
Arlington Association - Outstanding 
Culpeper Community Garden - Outstanding 
Freightliners City Farm - Outstanding 
Friends of King Henrys Walk Garden - Outstanding 

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