Published Monday, 21st September 2015

Parks, gardens and green spaces in Banstead, Redhill, Reigate and Horley have been praised in this year’s South and South East in Bloom awards.

South and South East in Bloom, the largest horticultural campaign in the region, recognised six of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s parks, public gardens and cemeteries in this year’s awards.

The sites are:

  • Priory Park, Reigate (Silver Gilt award, Large Park category)
  • Castle Gardens, Reigate (Silver, Park category) 
  • Redstone Cemetery Redhill (Silver Gilt award, Large Cemetery category)
  • Reigate Garden of Remembrance, Reigate (Silver Gilt & Winner, Small Cemetery category)
  • Lady Neville Park, Banstead (Silver, Small Park category)
  • Memorial Park, Redhill (Silver, Park category). 

Horley Town Council also received awards for the town centre and Horley Recreation Ground.

On hearing the news, which included a win for Reigate Garden of Remembrance in the Small Cemetery category, Cllr Allen Kay, Reigate & Banstead’s portfolio holder for parks, open spaces and countryside said: “Our parks and green spaces are such an important asset to local people, providing our communities with an enormous amount of enjoyment as well as opportunities to keep healthy and active. Keeping them attractive and enjoyable places to visit requires a considerable amount of hard work and planning so I’m very pleased that the South and South East in Bloom campaign has recognised so many of our sites this year.”

The council entered Redhill’s newly refurbished park in Redhill and Reigate’s Castle Grounds for the first time in 2015. “I’m particularly pleased that Memorial Park and Reigate’s Castle Grounds were recognised this year as we’ve not entered them before,” said Cllr Kay. “Next year they will look even better. We’ll be introducing far more nectar-rich flowers, both at Memorial Park and in some of our other sites, to make some really fabulous displays for people to enjoy and to benefit wildlife. Do remember that if you love spending time in our parks, they also offer an excellent opportunity for volunteering. If you feel inspired to lend a hand in helping to keep these and our other outdoor spaces looking beautiful, please do get in touch with our Countryside Team.” 

More information about South and South East in Bloom on its website.