The team behind a win in this year’s Anglia in Bloom competition has been congratulated for their work on a Halstead landmark.

Braintree Council and Halstead in Bloom entered this year’s virtual competition with Halstead Public Gardens winning a coveted Gold Award and overall Best Park.

The awards recognise the combined efforts of the operational team at Braintree Council which maintains the gardens, working in partnership with Halstead in Bloom, Friends of Halstead Public Gardens and Halstead Town Council.

Halstead Public Gardens was gifted to the town by George Courtauld and opened in 1901.

Another award given this year was in the ‘Gold in the Cemeteries and Crematoria’ category, where Halstead Cemetery achieved Silver Gilt last year. 

Silver Gilt Awards were also achieved in the ‘Local Authority Best Wildlife Conservation’ category for Mill Chase Playing Field and Halstead River Walk.

Braintree Council environment boss Wendy Schmitt said: “It is fantastic news to win the Anglia in Bloom awards.

“We put a lot of effort into providing high-quality public open spaces, because they have a real positive impact on people’s health and well-being, and we know how much our residents value and appreciate their local environment.

“I would like to thank all our staff for the hard work they do throughout the year to preserve our parks and gardens, and the brilliant volunteers at Halstead in Bloom and our other partners who take such pride in their work to help keep the public gardens well maintained.

“Our open spaces are wonderful places to visit and are much-loved by the local community.”

Halstead mayor Jackie Pell, chairman of the Friends of Halstead Public Gardens, said: “We are very proud that the Halstead Public Gardens have won the Anglia in Bloom award.

"The Braintree Council staff, as well as Halstead in Bloom volunteers, Friends of Halstead Public Gardens and Halstead Town Council, who maintain it, do a fantastic job and the park clearly means a lot to them.

"It is well used all year round and is also home to many events throughout the year.”