Still flying the flag

Above: some of our volunteer gardeners display this year’s Green Flag Award

There is no holding back our award-winning gardening volunteers! We’ve only entered two competitions recently, and – you guessed it – our gardening efforts have been rewarded with accolades in both.

We retained our Green Flag Community Award with the highest banding possible. The Green Flag is the international quality award for parks and green spaces.

Meanwhile, in London in Bloom, Arlington Square was awarded Outstanding status. In the It’s Your Neighbourhood class we were awarded a healthy 94 marks out of 100. Here is some of the London in Bloom judge’s feedback:

Recently planted in Arlington Square’s circular beds: 1,000 Gladioli Byzantinus

I visited this garden at the end of a very long hot day and it was a delight to just sit and enjoy. The space is visually well thought-out, with much to look at from the wild planting to the more constrained roses and herbaceous plants, from nice sitting spaces to an area where small children can kick a ball about. The garden group’s pride in their space is evident to see.

Many different residents were using the space, all extremely respectful of each other, from the couple picnicking with a glass of cold champagne to the parents with a toddler, from the yoga practitioner to the book readers. It was a very busy square but did not feel like it was. I was informed that up to 1,000 residents a month use this space.

Recently planted in Arlington Square’s circular beds: 400 Allium Purple Sensation

I was impressed by the level of commitment the garden group has as well as the community engagement, annually raising money not just for the square but for local charities – a different one is selected each year. This garden is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through passion and support. It is evident that joined-up thinking, working with council and other services, has really worked here.

We also received another discretionary award from London in Bloom, in their Greener Streets – Better Lives category.