Britain in Bloom shortlist for our Southwark parks!

We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for RHS Britain in Bloom alongside our partners Better Bankside and Southwark Council in the Urban Community category!

Working in partnership to get Bankside blooming

Bankside Open Spaces Trust manages a number of spaces in London’s Bankside area including Red Cross Garden, Crossbones Graveyard and Tate Community Garden. We also care for spaces owned by Southwark Council and others, including Mint Street Park, Little Dorrit Park and St George’s Garden. Through our Green Hub project we support communities growing where they live in the area too. Our friends at Better Bankside care for street planting in the area, while Southwark Council manage other sites - together we are working to make Bankside bloom!

Britain in Bloom - celebrating outstanding community gardeners

Britain in Bloom is the UK’s largest community gardening competition. Run by The RHS, the scheme celebrates outstanding community gardeners and inspires community groups in towns, cities and villages to make positive changes to their local environment through horticultural, environmental and community action.

Steps to success at Britain in Bloom

Together with our partners, Bankside Open Spaces Trust entered our area into London in Bloom - one of the 16 smaller, local Britain in Bloom competitions around the UK. After receiving GOLD in the judging, Bankside was nominated to take part in the UK Finals, organised by the RHS and involving the highest achieving communities across the UK.

Our next step is to be visited by Bloom Judges in the summer, who will assess our level of achievement. The winners are announced at a national ceremony in October - our green fingers are crossed!