Successful night for Lowestoft and Oulton at Anglia in Bloom awards

Nicholas Everitt Park in Oulton Broad took the winners and gold prize in the parks under five acres category. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

With entrants having dedicated months of time and effort to ensure their local areas caught the eye, Anglia in Bloom hosted its annual celebration at Gorleston's seaside Ocean Room.

Judges dished out a record number of gold awards - the top prize on offer for each category - at this year's event, demonstrating the immense commitment and desire from participants in the six counties that are able to enter.

And the night saw plenty of success for floral and environmental wonders in our communities.

The Anglia in Bloom 2017 awards were presented at The Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

There were two winners in the local area when it came to the parks under five acres category. The popular Nicholas Everitt Park in Oulton Broad took the winners and gold award in what was a terrific achievement, whilst Lowestoft's Kensington Gardens won the silver gilt.

Lowestoft as a whole won a silver gilt award in the coastal town classification, and there was also success for the area's hotels after Gunton Hall Hotel and Corton Coastal Village Hotel both took silver gilt gongs.

Geoff Pipe, who is chair of the Friends of Nicholas Everitt Park, said: 'Winning gold is a great reward for the hard work that all the volunteers do.

Nicholas Everitt Park, Oulton Broad. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: �archant2016)

'It's fantastic to get awards of this kind, especially given Anglia in Bloom covers six different counties.

'The park means a lot to Oulton Broad; it's a great focal point and people always compliment us when they visit.'

David Banks, club secretary of the Lowestoft in Bloom charity, added: 'We've worked extremely hard to improve Lowestoft and have put a huge amount of time and effort into our entry.

The Anglia in Bloom judges have visited Lowestoft. Picture: David Banks. (Image: Archant)

'Whilst preparing our entry we worked really closely with local schools and care homes, and we've really tried to get the community involved.

'In a way, we were disappointed not to win the gold award in the coastal category, but it's always going to be difficult against some other really nice seaside towns.'

If you would like to see the full list of this year's Anglia in Bloom award winners, visit angliainbloom.co.uk/2017-award-winners.

The Anglia in Bloom judges have visited Lowestoft. Picture: David Banks. (Image: Archant)