Northampton's green-fingered community groups and schools shine at Guildhall awards ceremony
"The groups who have taken part in this year's scheme have shown real commitment to making their neighbourhoods better places to live, and we are delighted to celebrate the difference they have made through these awards”
Community groups and schools across Northampton have been recognised for helping transform green spaces, improve neighbourhoods and bring residents together.
A total of 24 community groups and six schools took part in this year's It's Your Neighbourhood gardening scheme, with their achievements celebrated at an awards ceremony at Northampton Guildhall last week.
The awards were presented by the Deputy Mayor of Northampton, Councillor Enam Haque, recognising projects ranging from community gardens and allotments to environmental improvements and planting schemes.
The celebrations followed Northampton's success in securing Gold in this year's East Midlands in Bloom competition, with many of the community projects contributing to the town's winning entry.
Organised nationally by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and delivered in partnership with East Midlands in Bloom, It's Your Neighbourhood is coordinated locally by Northampton Town Council.
The council provides small start-up grants to participating groups and helps them share ideas, access support and develop their projects.
RHS assessors visited the gardens during July and August, looking at community involvement, environmental responsibility and gardening achievements.
The groups also received advice and feedback to help them build on their work.
Councillor Andrew Kilbride, chair of Northampton Town Council's environmental services committee, praised the volunteers and organisations involved.
He said: "The groups who have taken part in this year's scheme have shown real commitment to making their neighbourhoods better places to live, and we are delighted to celebrate the difference they have made through these awards.
"Each project has its own character and brings something special to the local community. From enhancing the environment and supporting biodiversity to building community pride, bringing residents together and helping people develop new skills and confidence, these initiatives have a lasting and positive impact."
He added: "This year we welcomed nine new groups to the scheme and six schools, which was the highest number in the whole East Midlands region."
Community groups recognised
The 24 community groups recognised for their efforts were:
- 78 Derngate
- Abington Vale Residents
- Bees Be Happy URC Church, The Headlands
- C2C Grows Kingsthorpe Allotment
- Ekins Close Communal Gardens, Eleanore House
- Friends of Abington Park
- Friends of Billing Road Cemetery
- Friends of Bradlaugh Fields & Barn
- Friends of Dallington Park 'Secret Garden'
- Friends of Eastfield Park
- Friends of St. Peters Marefair
- Garden in the Park, The Racecourse
- Green Spaces Semilong
- Hope in the Community
- Holly Road & East Park Parade Residents Association
- Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation
- Chai & Chat, Weston Favell Parish Hall
- Northampton L.I.V.E, Abington Park
- Old Billing Lane Community Garden
- Northampton Ramgarhia Board, Regent Street
- Restore's Allotment Grow Project, Weston Favell
- St. Matthew's Sensory Garden, part of Sports4Fitness, Fernie Field, Moulton
- South Court Environmental Ltd, Abington Lodge
- St. Giles Community, St Giles' Churchyard
Northampton schools celebrated
Six schools were also recognised for their gardening and environmental projects, which aim to encourage children to learn about nature, develop practical skills and take pride in their surroundings.
The schools were Parklands Primary School, Briar Hill Primary School, Headlands Primary School, St Mary's RC Primary School, Standerns Barn Primary School and Greenfields Specialist School.
Special awards
Several projects and organisations received additional recognition for their achievements.
Greenfields Specialist School was named the regional Overall Secondary School Winner.
St Giles' Community and C2C Grows Kingsthorpe Allotment both received National Certificates of Distinction and were finalists for the Most Inspiring It's Your Neighbourhood Award.
The coordinator of the Bees Be Happy project received the Northampton in Bloom Judges' Award.
The Wheatsheaf pub in Dallington was recognised in the Floral Awards pub category, while Castle Park received the regional Best New Permanent Landscape Award.
The Women's Institute was also thanked for supporting the ceremony by providing knitted women farmers, agricultural items and food.
How to get involved next year
Applications have already opened for the 2027 It's Your Neighbourhood scheme, with community groups able to register until the end of May next year.
Assessments will take place between June and August 2027.
Participating groups receive an annual visit from an RHS assessor, guidance from experienced mentors and opportunities to connect with community gardening projects across the country.
Anyone interested in taking part can contact Northampton Town Council by emailing [email protected].
Further information is available at www.northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk/its-your-neighbourhood-scheme.