NEWBURY AWARDED SILVER GILT AND BEST LARGE TOWN TROPHY AT THAMES & CHILTERN IN BLOOM 2026
Newbury is celebrating another fantastic achievement after being awarded Silver Gilt and Best Large Town Trophy at the prestigious Thames & Chiltern in Bloom campaign.
Building on last year's success, when Newbury won the Best Large Town Trophy for the first time, the town has once again impressed the judges, demonstrating its continued commitment to maintaining beautiful green spaces, supporting environmental initiatives and encouraging community involvement.
The awards recognise the collective efforts of volunteers, community groups, contractors and Council staff, whose hard work throughout the year helps make Newbury a greener, more attractive and welcoming place to live, work and visit.
From beautifully maintained parks and gardens to community-led environmental projects, litter picking and graffiti removal, these contributions all play an important part in enhancing the town and creating spaces that everyone can enjoy.
Cllr Ian Jee, Chair of the Council’s Green Spaces Working Group, said, “Retaining both the Silver Gilt Award and the Best Large Town Trophy is a fantastic achievement for Newbury. It reflects the hard work and dedication of so many people who take pride in our town and its green spaces. We are incredibly grateful to all our volunteers and community groups, as well as our contractors, John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance Ltd, for their continued support and excellent work throughout the year.”
This year's celebrations also included a special award to commemorate the centenary of the campaign to protect rural England. In partnership with Thames & Chiltern in Bloom, an award was sponsored to recognise outstanding dedication to biodiversity and environmental responsibility.
Eight fantastic projects from across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire were shortlisted, with one overall winner selected by the judges. The award was presented to Friends of the Earth Newbury for their Newbury Nature Corridors Project. The judges described the project as a benchmark for promoting environmental responsibility and biodiversity.
The project aims to link the town through wildlife corridors, while supporting the planting of new woodlands, hedges and ponds, as well as working with local schools, churches and volunteer groups. The judges praised the project as an inspiring example of how communities can work together to support biodiversity and create a more connected natural environment.
Cllr Jo Day, Mayor of Newbury, said: “It is wonderful to see Newbury retain these two prestigious awards, and to see Friends of the Earth Newbury recognised with this special award. Their work through the Newbury Nature Corridors Project is an inspiring example of the contribution that local groups can make to biodiversity and our natural environment. I am very proud to have them in Newbury and to see their dedication recognised alongside so many other fantastic projects across the region."
The Thames & Chiltern in Bloom campaign celebrates not only horticultural excellence but also environmental responsibility and the positive impact of community participation. Newbury's continued success highlights the importance of partnership working and the commitment shown by those who help care for the town's environment.
Newbury Town Council would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this year's success. Their continued enthusiasm, hard work and community spirit help ensure Newbury remains a beautiful, sustainable and enjoyable place for residents and visitors alike.
