1 October 2011

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

EAST Court estate has won a Gold award in the South and South East in Bloom competition.The prestigious accolade comes just three years after the Town Council first entered East Court in the Small Parks section of the competition as a way of raising standards.

"We entered originally to drive up standards and give ourselves a goal, and the first year we won a Silver award, which came with recommendations as to how we could improve up our overall presentation," said Council Amenities Manager Keith Astley.

The Outside Services Team took the advice on board and having tackled the major recommendations in the Bloom report gained a Silver Gilt award in their second year of competition.

Judging this year took place at the beginning of July, but Keith and his team had to wait until the annual awards ceremony held at Fontwell Racecourse on 7 September for the good news that they had not only struck gold, but had been placed second overall with a score of 89 points out of a possible 100.

Commenting afterwards Keith said: "It’s so pleasing to get this Gold Award because it reflects the hard work of the Town Council’s Outside Services Team in preparing the East Court grounds and ensuring they are a facility the whole town can enjoy."

* In addition to the award for East Court, East Grinstead earned a Silver Gilt for the town centre, and a Silver award for the town overall.