Customers bloom with success in RHS Heart of England in Bloom awards

Our customers are celebrating after achieving their best results to date in this year’s RHS Heart of England in Bloom, It’s Your Neighbourhood awards.  

Now in its 11th year of involvement, we entered 12 community gardens from across Worcester into the regional awards, with an impressive seven gardens achieving the top Level 5 Outstanding rating.  

The awards, held at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, recognise the dedication of community volunteers in transforming shared outdoor spaces into vibrant, welcoming areas that bring people together.  

The gardens achieving Level 5 Outstanding were:  

• Warndon Community Garden, Warndon; 
• Merrick House, St John’s; 
• Lincoln Green, Chelmsford Drive; 
• Newtown Green, Ronkswood; 
• Himbleton House, St John’s; 
• Sheepscombe Drive, Warndon (first year at Level 5); 
• Perry Wood Community Garden (first year at Level 5).  

Four more gardens were rated Level 4 Thriving, including James Close in the St Paul’s area of Worcester, which achieved this impressive result on its first ever entry.  The other three were:  

• Bilford Court, Blackpole; 
• Wellesley Court, St John’s; 
• Sharman Court, Barbourne (first time at this level).  

Westhaven Court in St John’s achieved Level 2 Establishing in its first year, with plans already underway to build on this success in 2026.  Judges also visited Sheepscombe Drive’s new community garden, offering feedback and encouragement to support its growth. 

Paul Edwards, our Community Engagement Officer said: “We’re absolutely thrilled at this year’s results, our best yet!  It’s wonderful to see so many of our customers recognised for their hard work and pride in their communities.  These gardens don’t just brighten up neighbourhoods; they help tackle loneliness, support wellbeing and bring people together.  A big thank you to our volunteers and our grounds maintenance teams who help give these spaces that extra sparkle.”  

We have been entering gardens into the RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood scheme for more than a decade, supporting residents and volunteers to enhance their communal spaces.  The initiative forms part of the national Britain in Bloom campaign, recognising community, environmental and horticultural excellence.  

Customers are already planning next year’s entries, aiming to make 2026 even more successful.   

Photo caption : Platform Housing Group’s customers and colleagues celebrate another record year at the RHS Heart of England in Bloom awards, held at The Three Counties Showground in Malvern.