Mansfield wins the war of the roses!
Mansfield's gold meal haul continues with the district celebrating a blooming wonderful win in the Best Small City category for the second year running at the East Midlands in Bloom awards ceremony held in Nottingham today.
Mansfield beat of stiff competition, including from local rivals Chesterfield, to walk off with the win.
Judging for the competition took place in July when judges from the Royal Horticultural Society were given a whistle-stop tour of the district's parks and open spaces, meeting representatives of the Friends of the Parks and Local Nature Reserves groups who have contributed to the competition, as well as Mansfield town centre.
The judges were particularly impressed with Mansfield's cleanliness of Mansfield's streets, awarding a special award for least littered environment.
Mansfield's Executive Mayor, Tony Egginton, is delighted at the result: "I am proud that Mansfield has, once again, won the small cities category of the East Midlands in Bloom competition."
"Bloom is a real community project and my heartfelt thanks go to our marvellous parks' department staff, who have worked tirelessly for months with members of local businesses and school and community groups to ensure the district has been seen at its very best.
"It has to be said that we all benefit from the fruits of the labours of all those involved with "In Bloom" as we travel around Mansfield's highways. Even without this fantastic accolade, taking part in the competition raises civic pride and creates a wonderful floral ambience to our District."
"On behalf of everyone in our District I express our great appreciation to everyone concerned with the In Bloom competition – your work and commitment to the cause is of great pride to us"
Councillor Eddie Smith, Portfolio Holder for the Environment at Mansfield District Council, added: "I would also like to offer my thanks to all of those who have been involved in Mansfield's entry to East Midlands in Bloom."
"The parks department has been a real hive of activity for months and this win is no more than they deserve after the hours of dedication and hard work they have put into winning this prestigious competition. Our thoughts now turn to the Britain in Bloom awards later this month."