Islington scoops gold at London In Bloom awards

Islington has come out on top at the London In Bloom awards this week, being crowned Borough Of The Year for the best green spaces, community and residents’ gardens in the capital.

The award was collected by Islington Gardeners, a green-fingered residents’ group that works closely with the council to make sure the borough is a pleasant place to live.

 Jennifer Chamberlain, chair of Islington Gardeners, said: “I am absolutely thrilled at the borough’s successes in the London In Bloom awards. I know that the team have worked extremely hard to achieve this, and have worked miracles in an inner London borough with very few open, green spaces, and in the face of severe financial pressures in the last few years.”

Cllr Claudia Webbe, executive member for environment and transport, said: “I am so pleased that Islington’s beautiful green spaces have got the recognition they deserved.

“Without the input of the Islington Gardeners volunteers and the many individuals and groups who are members, Islington would not bloom as it does.

“Our success is an example of council and community working together to make Islington a better place for its residents, making a real, visible difference to people’s lives.”

Gillespie Park, also the home of Islington’s Ecology Centre, achieved gold for Conservation Area Of The Year, while Culpeper Community Garden landed the coveted Royal Horticultural Society’s National Certificate of Distinction, in recognition of groups that have done consistently well in the It's Your Neighbourhood awards.

Arlington Square, entered by the Arlington Association, also won a silver gilt award for Small Park Of The Year.