Green spaces awarded top marks for management and community involvement

Bradford on Avon Town Council has been given 5 stars in the Pride in Parks award by South West in Bloom for our management of Poulton Park and Barton Farm Country Park.

Since taking over the management of both parks in 2022, we’ve unveiled plans to improve the green spaces for biodiversity and their communities.

South West in Bloom has recognised this by awarding Poulton Park and Barton Farm the highest possible score in its Pride in Parks award.

Judging for Pride in Parks is based on community involvement, biodiversity, horticultural and general management of the spaces, as well as the scale and tidiness of the parks.

Judge Terry Porter highly praised our ambitious plans for Poulton Park – such as the play area project – and our management of the “valuable green open place”.

“It is good to see all the water bags used for the large number of more mature trees, which will certainly improve their chances of growing well,” he said.

He added that the skatepark was a great community asset and that he would watch the development of the community-planted mini forest with interest.

On Barton Farm, he said: “There are some very good green and open spaces in Barton Farm Country Park […] I like your tree planting plans and the planting of a hornbeam to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”

Finally, Judge Terry noted the wonderful wildflower meadow sown by our Nature Volunteers and tree planting plans.

Councillor Katie Vigar, Mayor of Bradford on Avon, said: “It is wonderful that South West in Bloom has commended how the town council manages and involves the community in our green spaces.”

You can read the judge’s full comments in the PDF files linked below:

Poulton Park – marking sheet – 5 star (pdf)

Barton Farm Country Park – marking sheet – 5 star (pdf)

Last year, we celebrated all the work by volunteer groups, businesses and charities that keep Bradford on Avon beautiful and in bloom.

If you’re a local business, community group or charity and wish to be part of the South West in Bloom entry – please get in touch with us at office@bradfordonavontowncouncil.gov.uk

South West in Bloom is one of 18 competitions which make up the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom.

You can find out more about the competition on the South West in Bloom website.