Fenland has scooped an armful of awards at the 20th Anglia in Bloom Environmental Campaign.

Cambs Times: St Peter's Church Gardens in WisbechSt Peter's Church Gardens in Wisbech (Image: Archant)

Wisbech picked up the gold award in the large town category, while across the rest of the Fen towns, winning trophies were collected in categories of best parks, cemeteries, crematoria and recognition given to community spirited people.

Bob Ollier, chairman, said entrants should be: ”Justifiably proud.

“This year standards have continued with excellent awards achieved. The outstanding community work, many resourceful projects and superb colourful displays have all added to these standards,” he said.

“The key to success has again been community involvement where everyone pulls together and then delivers great projects.

Cambs Times: Sir Harrry Smith sea garden in WhittleseySir Harrry Smith sea garden in Whittlesey (Image: Archant)

“Communities are also recognising the importance of sustainable displays coupled with good horticultural standards and delivering outstanding floral displays.”

He said: “These are all achieved through the support from sponsors and community groups engaged across the region, who are all dedicated to enhancing their community.

“I congratulate all the communities and neighbourhoods for the enthusiasm, commitment and effort made to improve, develop and sustain local environments across our region, it is a great credit to you all.”

Everybody involved in the six counties event are volunteers, he added.

Cambs Times: The Pound at WhittleseyThe Pound at Whittlesey (Image: Archant)

In October the five Anglia in Bloom entries go to the National RHS Britain in Bloom finals in Birmingham - they are Wisbech (large town), Fordham (village), Mancroft Ward, Norwich (urban community), Colchester (small City) and Great Yarmouth (coastal).

The 2017 Britain in Bloom finalists from our region will be announced in October.

George Dawson, chair of judges, said: “A community is a winner as soon as it enters the campaign.

“No matter what the British climate throws at us the entrants take it all in their stride and make the areas where they live better places.

Cambs Times: Fenland Crematorium in MarchFenland Crematorium in March (Image: Archant)

“The campaign is not only about flowers. Many different elements are judged, environmental quality, community involvement, biodiversity and the involvement of young people.

“One of the definitions of In Bloom is to flourish and if all the various elements of the judging criteria are done well then so will the entry.”

Overall winner was Halstead.

FENLAND RESULTS

• Village category: Silver Gilt to Benwick

• Small Town category: Silver Gilt to Whittlesey and Silver to Chatteris

• Large Town: Gold to Wisbech. Silver Gilt to March.

• Large parks: Silver Gilt to West End Park and Wisbech Park.

• Small parks: Joint winner and Gold to St Peter’s Church Gardens, Wisbech; Silver Gilt to St Peter’s Church Gardens, Chatteris and Garden of Rest at Whittlesey.

• Small Cemeteries: Winner and Silver Gilt to the General Cemetery, Wisbech, Silver to New Road Cemetery, Chatteris, and Eastwood Cemetery In March.

• Large Cemeteries: Silver Gilt to Whittlesey Cemetery; Silver to Mount Pleasant Wisbech.

• Crematoriums: Winner and to Gold Fenland Crematorium, March.

• Best Community Project: Among those commended The Winter garden, Wisbech.

• Best Drought/Sustainable Garden: Among those commended The Community Hub at Chatteris.

• Grow Your Own: Among those commended Neale Wade Academy in March.

• Best Industrial/Commercial Area: Among those commended Elgoods Brewery in Wisbech.

• Best Public Open Space: Among those commended Wisbech Park.

• Best Young Persons Project (12 to 18 years of age): Among those commended Sir Harry Smith Community College in Whittlesey.

• Best Young Peoples Project ( Aged 12 years and under): Among those commended Westwood Junior School in March.

• Best Individual/Community Floral Display Winner: Gill Lawrence, The Pound, Whittlesey.

• The Mike Ames Anglia in Bloom Community Champion Awards- in recognition of long and voluntary service given by individuals to local and regional In Bloom communities: Among the winners Gill Lawrence of Whittlesey.