City wins Britain in Bloom gold for second year in row

Prestigious prize only given to three locales

Canterbury has struck gold in the prestigious Britain in Bloom awards for the second year running.

It is only one of three destinations in the country to gain the top accolade from the Royal Horticultural Society in the small cities category.

The effort was co-ordinated by the Canterbury Connected Business Improvement District (BID), whose retiring boss, Bob Jones, travelled to Llandudno on Friday last week for the awards ceremony.

He said: “It was a tremendous honour to receive this distinguished award on behalf of the Canterbury in Bloom partnership. It is beyond all our expectations and a testament to the hard work, enthusiasm and commitment of all our partners.

“Everyone has played their part, from the Friends of the Riverside, Westgate Park and Kingsmead Field, the Canterbury Society, Rough Old Wife Cider, the teams at the Cathe- dral, Canterbury Christ Church University and Whitefriars to the volunteers of the wildflower meadow in Franciscan Gardens, the Dane John Gardens, Oaten Hill and South Canterbury Association, the Abbots Mill Project, Serco and the city council.”

Mr Jones also received an RHS Community Champion Award at the ceremony, which was one of only 14 presented nationally.

He said: “It was a complete surprise. To receive this award alongside so many amazing people who work so hard to make their communities better places for everyone is humbling.”

Mr Jones, 63, has just announced that he is stepping down as the chief executive of BID, having taken charge in 2014.

He is handing the reins to the company’s current business manager Lisa Carson, who will take over on December 1 and manage its £500,000 budget raised from local shops and business.

He said: “I think we have done some tremendous work in the city and together with our partners, achieved many tangible improvements, like graffiti cleaning, hanging baskets and the superb Christmas lights.

“But with a new ballot on a new five-year BID programme in 2019, I feel it is the right time to go and let someone new take it on.

“Lisa is extremely capable and has a great team around her and this will give her time to prepare for the next bid.

“I plan to spend more time with my grandchildren and going on trips in a motorhome, but will still be living in Canterbury.”

BID boss Bob Jones receives the award from Iolo Williams