Gold victory for Plymouth in South West in Bloom 2011

Plymouth's green fingered gardeners are celebrating a gold win at the South West in Bloom 2011 ceremony. The city picked up gold in the large city category, the South West Tourism Cup, after impressing the judges who toured our gardens, floral displays, parks and community projects.

Plymouth was also awarded the prize for best portfolio for the presentation of information about the huge range of activities that support the campaign.

Between 2006 and 2011 we have won the prestigious gold award and The South West Tourism Cup in the large city category.

South West in Bloom is one of the Royal Horticultural Society's regional competitions that make up Britain in Bloom, the biggest horticultural campaign in Europe. It is designed to improve and regenerate the local environment by promoting community participation.

The city also achieved 35 'It's Your Neighbourhood' awards. Among the awards winners were the Plympton St Maurice Civic Association, East End Community Allotments and Diggin It.

Plymouth shines at Britain in Bloom 2011 ceremony

Plymouth scooped a silver-gilt award at the prestigious, national Britain in Bloom ceremony held in Scotland on 24 September.

This year Plymouth was invited to enter the Coastal Category and the city's fabulous waterfront impressed the judges when they visited this summer to tour our gardens, parks, community allotments and projects and meet our waste, recycling and garden teams.

Britain in Bloom is run by the Royal Horticultural Society and is one of Europe's largest horticultural campaigns. More than 1,100 cities, towns and villages take part every year. The competition recognises the efforts made by local councils, businesses, community groups, children and volunteers in helping to create lasting improvements to the local environment.

Previous awards

2011

• Britain in Bloom Coastal Category silver-gilt award
• South West Tourism gold award
• 35 RHS 'It's Your Neighbourhood' awards

2010

• South West tourism gold award
• 23 RHS neighbourhood awards

2009

• South West tourism cup
• RHS discretionary award: 'Local Roots' Darwin 200 scheme
• 22 RHS neighbourhood awards

2008

• Entente Floral silver award (Europe in Bloom)
• South West tourism cup gold award
• London and Manchester trophy (for outstanding contribution to environmental initiative): 'Diggin It' project
• South West tourism salver (for best produced judges' folder/portfolio)
• Sargent trophy (for outstanding effort and dedication from a competition entry)
• Westcountry TV cup (for an outstanding specific project): Dragonfly sculpture on the Hoe
• RHS discretionary award: 'Local Roots' BBC Breathing Places scheme
• Nine RHS neighbourhood awards

2007

• South West tourism cup gold award
• Michael McGahey trophy (city wide community effort)
• The Monk trophy (Marsh Mills sustainable planting)
• Nine RHS neighbourhood awards

2006

• South West tourism cup gold award
• Regional winners gold award
• South West in Bloom painting award (schools 7 to 11years)
• Three RHS neighbourhood awards

2005

• Large city category regional winners silver award
• Michael McGahey trophy - Penlee Eco Park
• South West in Bloom youth award (Luke Foster of Rowdens allotments)

2004

• Large city category regional winners silver award
• Sargent cup - best team effort
• Michael McGahey trophy - Stone House Action Group

2003

• Large city category regional winners silver award

2002

• Large city category regional winners silver award