Photo: towerhamlets.gov.uk

Tower Hamlets was blooming with pride in early September after retaining its prestigious Silver Gilt award in this year’s London in Bloom competition. It also increased its overall score at the 43rd London in Bloom competition, run by the Royal Horticultural Society, which feeds into the national Britain in Bloom competition. Judges were particularly impressed with the standard of the gardens, floral displays and general horticultural expertise they witnessed, as well as the level of community participation and the educational and promotional materials available. The competition takes into account not just the flowers and plants of council-run parks and open spaces, but those carefully nurtured in individual gardens, balconies, business premises and schools.

Councillor Shahed Ali, Tower Hamlet’s lead councillor for the environment, was thrilled. “This is great news…as an inner London Borough open space comes at a premium and we try hard to make the most of it. A big thanks to everybody who takes pride in making our borough look great.”

London in Bloom is a London-wide campaign to create lasting improvements to London’s environment, encouraging communities of all sizes to make positive and lasting improvements to their neighbourhoods.