24 October 2023 , 11:29
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When it comes to Britain's 'prettiest' towns, people tend to think of the Cotswolds' thatched cottages or Cornwall's cosy fishing towns.
But the winner has been revealed as none other than an ordinary town in Staffordshire. Newcastle-under-Lyme has been crowned the country's most beautiful thanks to its lush flower beds and greenery.
The town was named the overall winner of the Royal Horticultural Society's Britain in Bloom award on Monday night's The One Show, chiming conveniently with its 850th anniversary. Beating the likes of Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent, Derry in Northern Ireland and Leicestershire's Oadby and Wigston, Newcastle claimed the 'small city' category before being declared the overall winner.
Judges inspected dozens of applicants up and down the country over the summer, with inspectors taking a tour around the town's surrounding villages and blooming town centre. The town also bagged an Achievement in Sustainable Gardening certificate.
Pictures show the town's beautiful flower beds, which were decked out for its 850th anniversary (No credit)Simon Tagg, leader of Newcastle Borough Council, said the accolade had been a joint effort. He said: "I am delighted that we have been judged the best of the best, especially in the year that we celebrate our 850th anniversary. It is impossible to win this prizes unless the whole community pulls together: schools, businesses, community groups and volunteers have worked together to make this possible and I am so proud of this shared achievement."
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Newcastle has previously won a gold award 21 times in a row at the regional awards, as well as clinching regional championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019. It's also bagged the national 'small city' title and a gold award in the Champion of Champions round - but this was the first year Newcastle has won the overall top prize. Pictures of the town show its cheerful flower beds filled with colourful pollinator flowers and even stunning floral displays, such as a bike adorned with blooms.
The floral displays in Newcastle (No credit)Factors such as community involvement, habitat restoration, good ecological practices and year-round activity by volunteers were considered by judges, as well as the range of plant species and efforts to support wildlife, Staffordshire Live reports. This year, volunteers have already given the equivalent of 4,000 hours of their time.
Mr Tagg added: "Taking part in the national and regional 'in Bloom' awards is so important: not only does it make where we live a smarter, better place, it pulls communities together to make a meaningful contribution to sustainability, recycling and energy conservation."
Just days ago, Newcastle bagged top honours at the Heart of England in Bloom awards, winning first place in the small city category, collecting its 21st consecutive gold award and also receiving a judge's discretionary award for outstanding achievement.
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