Uppingham School

The School’s gardens department has played a key role in Uppingham being chosen as the  joint winners in the ‘Best Small Town’ category in the 2017 Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom awards. ​The town won an overall gold medal, as well as being given gold for community participation and horticultural achievement, with silver gilt for environmental responsibility.​

Rob Fisher, Gardens Manager, said: “The input from the small band of Uppingham in Bloom volunteers and the perseverance and professionalism of the Uppingham School gardens team has shone through to claim this national award.

“Despite the horrendous weather on judging day, Uppingham achieved the accolade of Best Small Town. A special thanks to Keith Dunne who stepped in to accompany the judges in my absence at short notice.”

Judges Brendan Mowforth and Kate Dagnall said: “Uppingham School is an integral part of the community, working with Uppingham in Bloom to enhance and improve the town.”

They said the displays in the School grounds were “exceptional”. They also applauded the standard of maintenance of the sports grounds. Tree management, including new planting and the arboretum, was highlighted as an area of achievement too.

In environmental responsibility, the sustained practices of the School were picked out, including grey-water recycling, use of solar power and green-waste recycling. The judges said it was great to learn that the School’s Maintainance  vehicle fleet had been converted to electric power.

In separate judging for East Midlands in Bloom, Uppingham took a gold award, although this was narrowly behind Draycott, the ‘Small Town’ winner.​The judges, giving their own award, praised “Uppingham School for their continued support and commitment for Uppingham in Bloom”. They noted that many of the School’s facilities were available to local residents, with the “high standard of landscaped gardens and courtyards a valuable contribution to the community”. The frontage of Lorne House Gardens was also commended.

The judges wondered if pupils, although on holiday during the judging, could be more actively involved, perhaps as part of the curriculum.

Rob Fisher added: “We could do with more volunteers to ensure we win next year’s regionals as our competitors are upping their game, pipping us into second in this year’s regional heats by a mere three points. Anyone interested in helping out could contact either myself or Miranda Jones who is taking the chair for next year.”

Both Rob and Miranda can be contacted via the School (01572 822216).