Bracknell in Bloom took silver in the ‘small city’ category of the 50th RHS Britain in Bloom 2014 UK Final Awards last Thursday.

Only the town’s dusty and distracting regeneration projects are reckoned to have stopped the town maintaining its lofty position in the gold category.

The award is a tribute to the dedication of the skills of individuals, beavers, cubs, and the business community, and covered everything from sunflowers grown by Bracknell Beavers to individual front gardens and herbaceous borders in South Hill Park.

The Bracknell in Bloom group represents Thames and Chilterns.

This summer’s contest was Europe’s biggest community gardening campaign now run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

There are more than 3,900 Bloom groups in Britain, and 71 finalists were chosen to represent their region in the UK finals, held in Bristol.

More than 500 people attended the function.

Judges who visited the town in July/August looked at horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibilty.

A spokesman for the RHS said: “We were impressed by the upbeat attitude of everyone we met. The long-term plans for Bracknell gave a feeling of a huge sense of pride for the town.

“The community links will prove to be a vital asset once the town centre is finally developed.” Bracknell in Bloom also won silver in the regional finals this summer.

Allan Moffat, chairman of the Bracknell in Bloom committee, and Bracknell Town Council’s recreational facilities manager, said: “We are delighted to win a silver award and are extremely pleased with the positive comments made by the judges.

“The success would not have beeen achieved without the hard work and help of all involved, including residents, schools, businesses and community volunteers, as well as landscaping and parks teams from Bracknell Town Council, Bracknell Forest Homes and Bracknell Forest Council.” He added: “Everyone involved has worked hard to make Bracknell attractive, clean, and neatly groomed.” Praise was targeted on the plants in Andrew Radgick’s front garden in Bullbrook as well as on the conservation and biodiversity work being done by volunteers at St Michael’s and St Mary Magdalene churchyard in Easthampstead.

Judges enjoyed meeting the 4th Bracknell Beavers and Cubs when they toured their garden at the Priestwood scout hut.

They were so impressed that they nominated them for the RHS Britain in Bloom Young People’s Discretionary Award.

Highlights of the judges’ summer tour of Bracknell included the planting by Bracknell in Bloom at Harman’s Water shops, the new border by the terrace at South Hill Park arts centre in Birch Hill, and the high standard of maintenance at Arlington Square Business Park in the town centre.