Blooming marvellous
Friday September 23, 2011
Hammersmith & Fulham is officially ‘blooming marvellous’ after sweeping the board at the recent London in Bloom awards – picking up an incredible 16 gongs!
London in Bloom is a well established and high profile initiative that invites neighbourhoods from across the capital to breath new life into their local green spaces.
Judges visited H&F in the summer and were amazed with what they saw. They awarded the borough a ‘Silver Gilt’ award and stated that the council ‘continues to maintain their parks and open spaces to high standards. A major success for such a small team.’
In addition to the overall award, the borough won 15 individual prizes. Frank Banfield Park in Hammersmith won a Gold Award. The park has seen major improvements recently and features a brand new children's play area, attractive new landscaping, improved railings and gates and new benches.
Ravenscourt Park in Hammersmith also won a Gold Award. The park is a scenic green space with tennis courts, basketball court, bowling green, lake and a café. Beyond the café and by the entrance to Paddenswick Road is a beautiful walled rose garden .
H&F also shared a Gold award with the Royal Borough of Kensington Chelsea for Little Wormwood Scrubs. This park belongs to H&F but is used mostly by residents who live over the border in Kensington and Chelsea. As a result, Kensington and Chelsea Council maintain the park under a 20-year agreement
Cllr Greg Smith, cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “This is excellent news for all residents. We have so many wonderful parks and open spaces in Hammersmith & Fulham and we are all committed to ensuring they look at their very best all year round. These London in Bloom awards now sit proudly alongside the six Green Flag Awards that we won earlier this summer.”
The Mayor of the borough was also delighted with the news. Cllr Frances Stainton, said: “I am thrilled, also for friends of our parks and businesses, that we have won so many London in Bloom Awards. Our wonderful parks and open spaces have never looked so good and I am glad that they are now getting the recognition that they so richly deserve. We are combining many of our services with Kensington and Chelsea and to share the Gold Award for Little Wormwood Scrubs really does cement our close relationship.”
In addition, Hammersmith Park, Margravine Cemetery, Wormwood Scrubs and Normand Park were given Silver Gilt Awards. Hammersmith town centre and HammersmithLondon (BID) won Silver awards.
Imperial Park at Imperial Wharf was named business premises of the year and the Novotel in Hammersmith came third in the Hotel of the Year category.
The Cross Keys Pub in Hammersmith finished in third for Pub and Restaurant of the Year and Phoenix Farm won the same award in the Community Garden Category.
In July, Ravenscourt Park, Frank Banfield Park and Margravine Cemetery, Normand Park, St Peter’s Square and Little Wormwood Scrubs collected prestigious Green Flag Awards.
