The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield has scooped the Gold award at this year’s Heart of England In Bloom competition.

Entering for the second year in the Small City category, 2019’s golden success follows months of hard work and enthusiasm in the Royal town’s among its residents, schools, community groups, volunteers and local businesses.

The gold status – a step-up from 2018’s Silver Gilt award in 2018 -  is testament to Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council’s commitment to local environmental issues, growing civic pride, supporting residents and businesses to improve their environments and committing to be a leaner, greener and more vibrant place to live and work.

To prepare for the judges’ visit in July, a raft of events and initiatives took place over a number of months including acorn planting at Boldmere Infant School with Eco Sutton, Spring Seminar, Clean and Green Group’s annual shows, painted rocks for Remembrance Sunday by Smilestones members, litter picks and a multitude of activities across the 10 town allotments.

Over the summer months, those who live and work in the Royal town were treated to some stunning displays including hanging baskets and planters in each of the local centres, flower towers in the town centre, colourful floral displays at a number of traffic islands, bee-friendly zones, incredible wild flowers in Walmley and the breath-taking transformation of Vesey Gardens.

On judging day, the route around the town began at Hill Allotments, followed by Ian Hazel Funerals (for their eco-friendly commitments), Langley School (winners of the Mayor’s 2018 ECO Challenge), New Hall Mill (a demonstration from Sutton Coldfield Beekeepers Association for pupils from Holy Cross Catholic Primary), Sutton Park, local resident Raymond Davies’ garden (winner of the Town Council’s 2018 gardening competition) and the spectacular Vesey Gardens.

Cllr Terry Wood, Chairman of the Sutton Coldfield in Bloom Working Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield has been recognised in this way by Heart of England In Bloom. This year was an opportunity to showcase and truly celebrate our heritage, strong civic pride, local identity and horticultural gems.

“This award means so much to all of us and would not have been possible without the months of hard work that our Royal Town’s green-fingered community groups, schools, residents and local businesses put into this, ahead of the judging in July. They, for me, are the real stars behind this Gold Status. A huge thank you to them and Mike Hinton and the team at Birmingham City Council, whose horticultural expertise was invaluable throughout.”

Results were announced at an awards ceremony in Rugby on Thursday 5 September and plans are already underway to retain the gold status for next year.