London in Bloom results announced
Gold Awards for Putney Lower Common and Wimbledon Common in the 2019 London in Bloom Awards!
At the awards ceremony for London in Bloom competition held on the 20th September 2019, both Putney Lower Common and Wimbledon and Putney Commons were recognised with Gold Awards and, to put the icing on the cake, Wimbledon Common won the coveted Common of the Year award!
Marked under a number of categories which include the welfare of park users, access, facilities, maintenance (including control of litter, graffiti and vandalism), maintenance of hard landscape features, environmental sustainability, conservation and community involvement, the Gold Award is presented by the London In Bloom judges to all sites considered by them to have reached a level which is classed as ‘outstanding’.
As this year has been the third year in a row that Wimbledon Common and Putney Lower Common have achieved Gold Awards in the London In Bloom competition and the second year in a row that Wimbledon Common has won the coveted award of Common of the year, the bar has certainly been set high for future events.
Simon Lee, Chief Executive commented "These awards not only recognise the importance of the Commons but the outstanding effort and commitment of all the Commons' staff in achieving this highest standard for public open spaces. It is gratifying that the Judges have also recognised the importance of our volunteers and the difference their contributions make."
Highlights of the judges's comments include:
Putney Lower Common: “Benches and bins are plentiful, and the site was clean with only a few pieces of litter and no visible signs of graffiti.
The natural features, wildlife and flora are well-managed. Hedgehogs are monitored on the site and log piles are created from the tree work that has been undertaken. They have a large bug hotel in the yard and there are multiple grasslands and flower meadows that only receive an annual cut, creating a great opportunity for wildlife habitats…The team and volunteers here should be very proud of all their hard work and efforts.”
Wimbledon Common – “Over the past few years, Wimbledon Common has undertaken various resurfacing works which has improved access for all.
This site has useful signage including the detailing of information about the skylark protection area and the oak processionary moth. There are also notices regarding any upcoming special projects and current events.
They have a good staff and volunteer presence with various groups undertaking a range of jobs and activities…
There are many paths, benches and bins around the Common, and the site was very clean of litter.
Work that is currently being carried out on Beverley Brook not only improves the aesthetics of the area, and is hugely beneficial to a variety of wildlife.
Wimbledon Common offers their time and knowledge to many of its visitors; it is an excellent resource for schools, where children can learn about the environment through geography or science field trips. An area has also been designated for a forest school. Wimbledon Common is an important site and by continuing their current projects, including: Beverley Brook and the restoration of the heathland, the common will only improve further.
All involved should be very pleased with a gold outcome.”