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Boston has been awarded gold for the second year running in the East Midlands in Bloom competition. The announcement was made at an awards event in Mansfield on 14 September.

Boston also received a special Judges Award for the transformation of the B&M open space, which has undergone landscaping improvements and the installation of new public art, including a mosaic by the Memory Lane group to raise awareness of dementia. The mosaic was created under the guidance of artists Fiona Gurney and Carol Parker and supported by Transported Arts, Boston Borough Council, Boston Big Local, Witham Central and Carlton Road Neighbourhood Group, HMP North Sea Camp, and Lincolnshire County Council.

“The standards in the large town category were the highest ever seen. Gold award winners in this category were separated by only three marks.” East Midlands in Bloom.

Boston West Academy was one of seven schools out of 22 entries to achieve Gold standard, and it was also chosen as the overall 2016 winner in the East Midlands in Bloom Best School Garden category.

Alison Fairman, chairman of the Boston In Bloom committee, said: “We are all absolutely delighted. Everyone involved in this year’s campaign has worked so hard – many volunteers give freely of their time, effort and expertise because they love this town and want to make it even better. They have been supported by staff from Boston Borough Council, especially the parks and grounds team and all those who help to keep the town looking clean and tidy. Other organisations have made an important contribution, such as Transported Arts, Boston Big Local, Thistles Nursery for adults with learning disabilities, private and business sponsors, and all the other agencies who take part in the annual Big Boston Clean-up.

“It’s been nice to see new things. When a high standard has been achieved, it is tempting to keep things as they are, but moving on with new projects is a really important part of Bloom.” East Midlands in Bloom judge, Jeff Bates.

As part of Theme 2 of the Boston Big Local Plan: Creating a More Attractive Environment, we have provided £19,000 of funding over two years to support activities which have been delivered by the Boston in Bloom group in partnership with Boston Borough Council.