Rugby has been awarded gold at the Heart of England in Bloom Awards and scooped a silver gilt at the Britain in Bloom Awards.

A Rugby in Bloom delegation travelled to Rochdale Town Hall for the Britain in Bloom Awards, where Rugby was shortlisted in the 'small city and city' category alongside Grimsby and Wrexham.

And while Wrexham won gold at the award ceremony, Rugby was awarded a silver gilt, with judges praising the "excellent work" taking place across the borough's parks, schools and open spaces.

Following the Britain in Bloom Awards, a Bloom delegation made the trip from Rugby to Malvern's Three Counties Showground on Thursday 22 October for the Heart of England in Bloom Awards.

Gold at the Heart of England in Bloom Awards - (left to right) Britain in Bloom judge Joe Hayden, Ben Slater, a gardener in the council's grounds maintenance team, the Deputy Mayor of Rugby, Cllr Neil Sandison, and Colin Horton, the council's green spaces officer. Below: Leah Anderson-Howe, the council's green spaces chargehand, and (right) Colin Horton, green spaces officer, with (centre) BBC Gardeners' World presenter and guest speaker Ashley Edwards at the Britain in Bloom Awards.

placeholder image — Gold at the Heart of England in Bloom Awards - (left to right) Britain in Bloom judge Joe Hayden, Ben Slater, a gardener in the council's grounds maintenance team, the Deputy Mayor of Rugby, Cllr Neil Sandison, and Colin Horton, the council's green spaces officer. Below: Leah Anderson-Howe, the council's green spaces chargehand, and (right) Colin Horton, green spaces officer, with (centre) BBC Gardeners' World presenter and guest speaker Ashley Edwards at the Britain in Bloom Awards.

Rugby won gold in the small city category and was named overall winner of Heart of England in Bloom in 2025 - securing Rugby's place at this year's Britain in Bloom Awards.

At this year's Heart of England in Bloom Awards ceremony, Rugby struck gold again in the small city category - the 17th year in a row Rugby in Bloom has secured the gold award.

And Heart of England in Bloom also presented a judges' discretionary award for horticultural excellence to the grounds team at Rugby School - part of the Rugby in Bloom team.

Britain in Bloom, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, aims to inspire communities to make positive changes to the environment through horticulture and environmental work.

Cllr Maggie O'Rourke, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for partnerships, health and wellbeing, said: "Rugby in Bloom really brings the best out of the borough every year and just to reach the finals of Britain in Bloom shows how Rugby punches above its weight when it comes to the quality of our parks and green spaces.

"Our silver gilt award at Britain in Bloom followed by another gold at the Heart of England in Bloom Awards rewards the hard work and dedication across our communities, from the conservation volunteers, schools and community organisations to the businesses and sponsors who support our entry every year."

Cllr Neil Sandison, Rugby Borough Council's Liberal Democrat group spokesperson for partnerships, health and wellbeing, attended the Heart of England in Bloom Awards as Deputy Mayor of Rugby.

He said: "A number of Rugby organisations and community contributors were praised by the judges, from Rugby Eco Hub growers to Rugby School, but Britain in Bloom got it just about right - all participants were winners in the competition."

For more information about parks and green spaces in the borough, visit www.rugby.gov.uk/ourparks

Britain in Bloom inspires community groups in towns, cities and villages to make positive changes to their local environment through horticultural, environmental and community action.

The gardening competition is a powerful tool for building communities and tackling local issues togethe

RHS Britain in Bloom is the largest horticultural campaign in the United Kingdom. It was first held in 1964, initiated by the British Tourist Board based on the example set by Fleurissement de France.

The competition has been organised by the Royal Horticultural Society in the UK since 2002.