Southport, a seaside town renowned for its sweeping coastline and historic parks, has been crowned the overall winner of the prestigious Britain in Bloom awards for 2025. This national recognition comes after what judges called “a year when community was so important,” highlighting the town’s resilience and unity following a devastating tragedy in 2024. The Town Hall gardens, which became a poignant gathering place after the loss of three young girls at a dance workshop, were among eight areas in the resort singled out for praise during the national final.
The Britain in Bloom awards, run by the Royal Horticultural Society, are a staple in the UK’s calendar of community achievement, celebrating towns and cities that go above and beyond to keep their green spaces flourishing. But for Southport, this year’s accolade carries a deeper meaning. According to BBC coverage, the Town Hall gardens transformed from a site of mourning into a symbol of hope and healing—thanks to the tireless efforts of local volunteers and the outpouring of public support.
Darren Share, chair of the Britain in Bloom judges, remarked, “Southport admirably demonstrated the power of gardening together.” The sentiment was echoed by John Dempsey, lead of Southport in Bloom, who told BBC’s 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.” Dempsey’s enthusiasm for the town was palpable as he described Southport as “mega, if you’ve not been, come along.”
Southport’s achievements didn’t stop at the overall title. The town also clinched the coastal category and was awarded a gold accolade, further cementing its status as one of the UK’s premier floral destinations. The judges were particularly impressed by the breadth of Southport’s efforts, with eight distinct areas receiving special mention in the national final. Among these, the Botanic Gardens—first opened in 1874—stood out for making “a lasting impression.”
The scale of community involvement in Southport’s transformation is remarkable. Over the past year, 150 people have dedicated more than 40,000 hours to maintaining and beautifying the town’s green spaces, including the celebrated herbaceous borders at Rotten Row. This surge in volunteerism was, in part, a response to the tragic events of 2024, when six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar lost their lives in a shocking attack at a local dance workshop. The outpouring of grief saw floral tributes laid throughout the Town Hall gardens, with many of these flowers later planted in the beds around the building, creating living memorials that continue to bloom.
Helen Marshall, a volunteer with Lord Street in Bloom, captured the emotional resonance of these efforts, describing the gardens as “a horticultural hug in those difficult days.” The judges, too, were “bowled over by Southport in Bloom’s passionate dedication,” highlighting not just the beauty of the town’s public spaces but the spirit behind their creation and care.
The tragedy of 2024 left an indelible mark on the community, but it also galvanized residents to come together in ways few could have anticipated. The number of volunteers swelled in the months following the attack, as people sought solace and solidarity through gardening. According to BBC reporting, the Town Hall gardens became a focal point for reflection and remembrance, but also for renewal—a place where grief was met with action and hope.
Now, as a tribute to both the victims and the community’s resilience, the Town Hall gardens are set to undergo a £10 million revamp. This ambitious project will transform the gardens into a new square and performance area, envisioned as a “thank you” to the public for their unwavering support after the 2024 attack. The redesign will draw inspiration from the shared passions of Bebe, Elsie, and Alice—for dance, music, and the arts—ensuring that their love for creative expression lives on in the heart of Southport.
The families of the three girls have played a central role in shaping the vision for the new space. They hope it will become “a safe and joyful place, full of energy and creative expression, particularly for Southport’s younger generations.” Their wishes reflect a broader desire within the community to create a legacy that honors the memory of those lost while nurturing the dreams of those still to come.
Southport’s story is one of transformation, not just of landscapes but of hearts and minds. The town’s success at Britain in Bloom is a testament to what can be achieved when people rally together in the face of adversity. The Royal Horticultural Society’s recognition of Southport’s achievements speaks volumes about the power of collective action—and the healing properties of nature.
It’s easy to overlook the significance of community gardening in an age dominated by digital connections and fast-paced living. Yet, as Southport has shown, tending to shared spaces can foster bonds that run deeper than soil. The volunteers who gave thousands of hours to the town’s green spaces did more than plant flowers; they cultivated hope, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
The planned revamp of the Town Hall gardens promises to carry this spirit forward. By transforming a site of sorrow into a hub for creativity and celebration, Southport is setting an example for towns across the UK. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times, communities can find ways to bloom again.
With its heritage parks, rare birds along the coastline, and a community that refuses to be defined by tragedy, Southport has become a beacon for what’s possible when people come together. The Britain in Bloom award is more than a trophy; it’s a symbol of a town’s journey from heartbreak to hope, rooted in the simple yet profound act of gardening together.
As Southport looks ahead to the transformation of its Town Hall gardens, the legacy of Bebe, Elsie, and Alice will live on—not just in flowers and trees, but in the laughter and creativity of generations to come.
