Contributors to Southport In Bloom met on Thursday 6th November to mark their historic success at the Britain In Bloom UK Finals. 

On October 31st, Southport In Bloom landed the ‘Champion of Champion’ award for the prestigious national competition’s overall winner – its first ever triumph since Britain In Bloom’s inception in 1963. It also collected a Gold Award, a Judges’ Highlights award and the title of Best Coastal Town. 

Southport’s triumphant bid was the result of hard work from volunteer groups, local businesses and Sefton Council staff. Council teams involved included Green Sefton, Highways and Waste Management and Street Cleansing. 

Representatives of Sefton Council, numerous groups involved in parks, gardens, green spaces and beach cleaning, and local contractor Dowhigh met at Southport Town Hall for a commemorative photo. 

Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, attended and offered some words of thanks to the groups. 

Cllr Doyle, who was part of the delegation that collected the Britain In Bloom titles in Brighton, said:   “I’m delighted that so many people were able to join us in celebrating this incredible achievement. Volunteer groups are the absolute heartbeat of community gardening in Southport and Sefton as a whole. 

“I believe we’re so lucky that we have these groups working so closely and tirelessly alongside Sefton Council’s fantastic staff to protect and preserve our gardens, green spaces and fabulous coastline. 

“I’ve always been clear that every group deserves massive credit for Southport In Bloom’s success at the Britain In Bloom UK Finals, and it was wonderful to be able to say that to them directly.” 

Best in show 

Judges from Britain In Bloom, the awards hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society, visited Southport on Wednesday August 6th. 

In comments shared with Southport In Bloom after it scooped the ‘Champion of Champions’ award, the judges said they were “bowled over by the wonderful commitment of local people contributing to this marvellous seaside resort.” 

Judges were impressed with horticulture all across Southport, from Town Hall and Lord Street to the Botanic Gardens and Hesketh Park, and plenty more in between. 

They said: “The partnership between the volunteers and the Council’s Green Sefton team was wonderful, strong and inspiring enabling all the community to come together to achieve excellent results in every In Bloom category.” 

The judges also paid tribute to Sefton Council’s stunning coastline and its unique habitat, highlighting efforts to protect species including Sefton’s natterjack toads and sand lizards. 

A glowing report concluded: “Southport thoroughly deserve their overall gold, and gold in every category, in the finals of Britain in Bloom. Congratulations to everyone involved, it is a tremendous achievement, and you all make a wonderful seaside town and community for all to enjoy.”

Thank you to everyone who joined us from:

Hesketh Park Heritage Group 

Hesketh Sensory Garden Volunteers 

Rose Garden Volunteers 

Beach Cleaning volunteers for Ainsdale and Southport – managed by Sefton Council. 

Friends of High Park Greenspaces 

Friends of Kings Gardens 

Queenscourt Hospice volunteers 

Friends of Rotten Row 

Botanic Gardens Community Association 

Lord Street In Bloom 

Dowhigh Ltd