We did it!  Henley was given top marks in the 'town' category of the Thames and Chilterns regional Britain in Bloom competition last week (Wednesday 5th September), for the second successive year.

We were competing against three other towns - Marlow, Amersham and Buckingham and scored 161 points out of a possible 200 and received a Silver Gilt award. Our portfolio, demonstrating our efforts over the last year also came top - out of 26 entries from all the competition categories -  to win the 'best portfolio' award. The judges said that the 'professional portfolio was an excellent portrayal of every part of Henley in Bloom'.

They judges also commented, 'The vigorous enthusiastic hard working Henley in Bloom committee never fails to produce a wide range of innovations supporting the Britain in Bloom campaign.'

Despite it being a gloomy and drizzly day when the judges visited Henley for their tour around the town, they said that they were particularly impressed with Chiltern End garden, the two bedding schemes in Mill Meadows, the two golden wheelbarrows in Millennium Court, the newly replanted locomotive situated on Station Park and the composting machine newly purchased by the town council this year. They even commented on our 'Big Breakfast', which was sponsored by Waitrose and Shredded Wheat, the new Britain in Bloom national sponsor.

Special mention was also given to the 'overall enthusiasm of Henley in Bloom, cleanliness of the whole town and public areas and the portfolio - truly one picture is worth a thousand words'.

I am so pleased and proud that Henley has again won its category. So many people in the town have worked hard to maintain  - and I think improve - on the standard we achieved last year. I would like to thank everyone for all their great efforts.

Now we have to wait until 26th September for the results of the 2007 Britain in Bloom national finals!! Watch this space....

Liz