Stroud’s Stratford Park Wins Gold Once Again in Heart of England in Bloom Awards
Stroud’s Stratford Park Wins Gold Once Again in Heart of England in Bloom Awards
Stratford Park has proudly secured a gold award in the prestigious Heart of England in Bloom competition for another year. This accolade is part of one of 16 regional and national Britain in Bloom contests across the UK, highlighting the park’s exceptional standards and the dedication of all of those who help maintain its beauty. The Heart of England in Bloom initiative encourages communities to enhance their local environment through creative planting, conservation, recycling projects, and the removal of litter, graffiti, and vandalism.
Located just outside Stroud town centre, Stratford Park spans 56 acres and includes a public park and arboretum. It offers residents and visitors a tranquil space to relax and enjoy nature. This latest achievement adds to the park’s impressive record, which includes multiple Green Flag Awards and a Special Innovation Award for Community Involvement.
The assessor drew particular attention to the park’s vibrant entrance with sustainable planting and wildflowers, the well-maintained arboretum trees, and creative use of natural materials such as fallen and carved trees for seating and play. Woodland walks, wildflower underplanting, and contrasting formal lawns with meadow areas were highlighted as strong features supporting biodiversity.
The work of the Stroud Valleys Project, a local community group, was also commended for its strong community links, creating an accessible sensory garden that engages visitors through touch and smell, and providing a well-thought-out space for wheelchair users.
Beth Boughton, Managing Director at Ubico, commented:
We are delighted with the result of the Heart of England in Bloom award. At Ubico, we take immense pride in keeping the spaces and places where people work and visit clean, green, and tidy. Stratford Park is a wonderful place to visit, and I would like to extend my gratitude to our hardworking team, our colleagues at Stroud District Council, and the volunteers who dedicate their time to maintaining these beautiful spaces, making them a pleasant place for residents and visitors.
Chair of Stroud District Council’s Community Services and Licensing Committee, Councillor Martin Brown said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in gaining this award by continuing to uphold high standards and clearly showing Stratford Park a lot of love.
“The park is not only home to our Active Lifestyles Stroud leisure centre and lido, and Museum in the Park but is a high quality green space which everyone can access freely. Two of our key Council Plan priorities are the Environment, and Communities and Wellbeing. Stratford Park plays an important part in making those priorities work for our communities.”
Clare Mahdiyone, Chief Executive Officer at Stroud Valleys Project said “Our volunteers are very proud of their work in the Sensory Garden, they work every week to create a space in nature for everyone to use. We are pleased to contribute towards winning the Heart of England in Bloom Award”
This award reflects the combined efforts of the Ubico team, Stroud District Council, and volunteers who ensure Stratford Park remains a welcoming and accessible space for all.
To learn more about Stratford Park, visit https://www.stroud.gov.uk/culture-leisure-sports-parks/parks-green-spaces/stratford-park/. For details on the Heart of England in Bloom awards, visit heartofenglandinbloom.org.