This year’s Britain in Bloom awards have been nothing short of a celebration of community resilience, passionate volunteerism, and the healing power of nature. At the heart of this year’s event, held on November 1, 2025, Southport emerged as the overall winner, a triumph that resonated far beyond the world of horticulture. For Southport, the accolade was not just about floral displays or immaculate gardens—it was a testament to a town’s ability to come together after tragedy, to honor its young, and to transform grief into vibrant community action.
The Town Hall gardens in Southport became a poignant symbol over the past year. Following the devastating 2024 attack at a local dance workshop, which claimed the lives of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, the gardens turned into a sanctuary for collective mourning and remembrance. Floral tributes covered the grounds, and, as BBC News reported, some of these flowers were later planted in the beds around the building—a living memory that continues to bloom.
But Southport’s victory wasn’t just about commemoration. The town also clinched the coastal category and secured a prestigious gold accolade in the awards, which are run annually by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Judges praised eight areas across the resort, with special mention of the Botanic Gardens, a historic site opened in 1874, which they said "made a lasting impression." Darren Share, chair of the RHS judges, emphasized, "the town admirably demonstrated the power of gardening together."
Volunteerism soared in Southport following the 2024 tragedy. Over the past year, 150 people dedicated more than 40,000 hours to maintaining the town’s green spaces, including the famous herbaceous borders at Rotten Row. The surge in community involvement was both a response to loss and a means of forging new bonds. As Helen Marshall, a volunteer with Lord Street in Bloom, described it to BBC News, "It was a horticultural hug in those difficult days."
John Dempsey, lead for Southport in Bloom, told The One Show, "We’re so lucky—we’ve got three heritage parks, a glorious coastline full of rare birds and we manage that with so many great volunteers and our own core staff." His enthusiasm for the town was infectious: "Mega, if you’ve not been, come along."
The recognition for Southport comes with more than just a trophy. In gratitude for the public’s support after the 2024 attack, the Town Hall gardens are set to undergo a £10 million revamp. The ambitious project aims to transform the gardens into a square and performance area, inspired by the shared love of Bebe, Elsie, and Alice for dance, music, and the arts. Their families hope the new space will be "a safe and joyful place, full of energy and creative expression, particularly for Southport’s younger generations." It’s a vision that seeks to turn pain into possibility, and sorrow into song.
Southport’s story is not unique in the landscape of Britain in Bloom 2025. Across the country, towns large and small rallied their residents, businesses, and councils to create vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive green spaces. Middleton, competing for the first time at the national level, achieved a remarkable double win: gold and national category winner for Town Centres and City Centres. The announcement, made at The Grand Brighton, was a proud moment for Middleton. As the community group behind the entry posted, "Wow we did it—we won gold for the Town. And we also won the category winner. What an amazing achievement for a first-time entry into the Britain in Bloom National competition. This was a win for the community and partnership working. Tonight we’re celebrating—and next week we’ll be back out there."
Judges highlighted Middleton’s cohesive partnership approach, strong community spirit, and the collaborative effort between local organizations, the Environmental Management team, and Bowlee Nursery staff. Volunteers from Friends of Jubilee Park & Old Cemetery led the way, combining floral displays, green infrastructure, and local engagement. Middleton’s achievement places it alongside other North West standouts like Garstang, Congleton, Chorley, and Bury, all of whom secured gold in their respective categories.
Meanwhile, in Suffolk, Bury St Edmunds and Brandon also struck gold at the Britain in Bloom Awards 2025. Bury in Bloom, managed by The Bury St Edmunds Society CIO and working alongside West Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council, took home gold in the Large Town category. Brandon in Bloom CIC won gold in the Town category, and Rachel Sobiechowski from Brandon received one of the eight coveted Community Champion Awards this year. Chris Wiley, coordinator of Bury in Bloom, reflected on the honor: "It was a real privilege to be nominated for the national competition this year and it gave the whole team and town in general a real boost which, in turn, attracted many more residents and businesses to become involved in our day-to-day activities. I would like to say a huge thanks to all of our volunteers, sponsors and supporters, as without them there would simply be no Bury in Bloom."
The Britain in Bloom competition, with 44 entrants vying for the overall title this year, continues to be a national showcase for horticultural excellence, environmental responsibility, and the transformative power of community involvement. The RHS judges commended all finalists for their efforts in enhancing communities through gardening, with particular attention to those fostering biodiversity, creating inclusive spaces, or supporting wellbeing initiatives.
As preparations for Bury in Bloom 2026 are already underway and other towns look to build on this year’s successes, the message from this year’s awards is clear: when communities come together—whether in joy or in the face of tragedy—something beautiful can always take root. Southport’s journey from heartbreak to hope, Middleton’s first-time triumph, and the tireless work of towns like Bury and Brandon all underscore how Britain in Bloom is about much more than flowers; it’s about the people who plant them, the stories they tell, and the futures they imagine together.
For Southport, the gold award is not merely a recognition of horticultural skill, but a lasting tribute to resilience, remembrance, and the enduring power of community spirit.
