Mansfield has scooped a Silver Gilt medal in the City category of the prestigious East Midlands in Bloom ceremony held in Nottingham on Wednesday (17 September).

The overall score was higher than last year’s and just eight points off a Gold award.

The District also won an award for Best New Permanent Landscape for the planted flower and shrub beds around the petanque courts at Titchfield Park, Mansfield.

Judges from the East Midlands in Bloom committee were given a guided tour of the District’s parks, open spaces, town centre and community projects during a visit in July.

These included the Green Flag award winning King George V and Carr Bank parks, Asquith Primary School, St Edmund’s community orchard and the woodland burial site at Mansfield Woodhouse Cemetery.

The judges were given a special In Bloom portfolio which detailed a wide variety of activities that took place over the past year.

Criteria for judging included horticultural achievement, environmental responsibilities and community participation. The judges also assessed nature conservation, sustainability, permanent planting, and cleanliness of the District.

The judges were particularly impressed with the Little Roots allotment project in Mansfield Woodhouse, they noted a number of well-tended front gardens on their tour and praised community involvement including friends groups, school projects as well as businesses that provide floral displays in support of the campaign.

Cllr Philip Shields, Portfolio Holder for the Environment at Mansfield District Council, said: “I am very pleased that Mansfield has again won Silver Gilt in the city category of the East Midlands in Bloom competition and has improved on last year’s score.

“The success is down to the joint effort made by the Council and the local community. My thanks go to our fantastic parks’ department staff, who work tirelessly throughout the year with friends groups, local businesses, schools and community groups to ensure the District always looks its very best.”