Haughton achieves another Silver-Gilt Award in Heart of England in Bloom 2012

The visit of the Heart of England in Bloom judges 2012

On Friday 27th July 2012, two judges from Heart of England in Bloom visited Haughton.  The village was looking its best following a week of good weather which enabled an army of volunteers to ensure that everywhere looked spick and span and which brought out the colour in the flowerbeds.  The judges were shown a presentation at the Village Hall, given by Mr Peter Lawrence, Communications Officer, detailing all the events, activities and initiatives which take place in Haughton throughout the seasons.  This presentation was followed by refreshments and a chance for the judges to meet some of the many volunteers who work so hard to make the village such an attractive place.  The judges were then shown around the village by Councillor Derek Warbrick, Campaign Co-ordinator Maxine Hutt and Peter Lawrence, before leaving to make their deliberations.  The results were due to be announced at a special event in King’s Heath on 13th September.

Councillor Derek Warbrick addresses a packed Village Hall prior to the judges receiving the campaign presentation for Heart of England in Bloom.

Heart of England in Bloom Presentation Event 2012

The 2012 Heart of England Presentation Event was held on Thursday 13th September at All Saints Church and Hall in King’s Heath, Birmingham.  The event was very well attended by representatives from communities which had entered this year’s event.  These communities ranged from one small village to two large cities from across the counties of the Midlands.  Haughton Village was represented at the event by Councillor and Mrs Derek Warbrick, BKV/Britain in Bloom Co-ordinator Maxine Hutt and Councillor Gill Anslow.  The first awards to be presented were the Discretionary Awards, a small number of certificates which were given by the judges to individuals they felt should be recognised for their special achievements within the wider campaign.  The Haughton representatives were delighted when a Certificate of Merit was awarded to Bert Moore in recognition of his contributions to the Haughton campaign.  Unfortunately, Mr Moore had been unable to attend the event, so Councillor Warbrick collected the award on his behalf.  The community awards were presented next, beginning with villages and progressing through towns to cities.  Haughton again picked up a Silver-Gilt Award in the Large Village category, a very pleasing result in this year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the Olympic Torch passing through Haughton and the award of Best Kept Large Village in Staffordshire for the second consecutive year.  The Presentation Event was very well hosted and organised by King’s Heath, with friendly marshals, vintage buses to transfer visitors from car parks to venue, guided tours of King’s Heath Park or King’s Heath Floral Trail and a comprehensive and tasty buffet.

The venue - All Saints Church, King’s Heath

Councillor Derek Warbrick and Maxine Hutt with Haughton’s Silver-Gilt Certificate and Bert Moore’s Certificate of Merit

Judges’ Comments

Mr Bert Moore holding his Heart of England in Bloom Certificate of Merit, with some of his beautiful blooming borders in the background.

Bert Moore and his Certificate of Merit

Many congratulations go to Bert Moore, whose achievement in designing, planting and maintaining the flower beds of Haughton has been recognised and acknowledged by Heart of England in Bloom.  The judges, Angela Pendleton and Robin Russell, who visited the village on 27th July, were so impressed by the scale and beauty of Bert’s work and by his hard work, dedication and commitment that they awarded him a Certificate of Merit.  Bert plays an indispensable role in the village, helping to achieve the high standards gained in both the Heart of England in Bloom and Best Kept Village campaigns.  Not only does he produce enviable beds and borders in his own garden and in public areas, Bert also keeps grassy areas in trim and undertakes numerous maintenance tasks around the village.  And that’s just in the summer ... For many years Bert has turned his house and garden into a fairyland of Christmas lights, raising thousands of pounds for charity.  Well done, Bert Moore, for gaining this special award.   

Councillor Derek Warbrick receiving the 2012 Silver-Gilt Award for Haughton Village from Ed Webb, Chairman of Webbs Garden Centres Ltd, one of the main sponsors of Heart of England in Bloom.

Heart of England in Bloom 2012

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Our Heart of England in Bloom and Best Kept Village campaigns are closely linked.  For shared initiatives and newsletters visit the 2012 Best Kept Village page.