STOURBRIDGE is back to its gold standard having won the top award once again in this year's Heart of England in Bloom campaign.

The campaign was suspended last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic but organisers put it back in the calendar for this year although without the usual visit from the judges.

Instead, organiser David Harcourt and his dedicated team of volunteers had to submit a portfolio in July detailing projects and work that had taken place across the town.

Judging took place over the summer and the awards were announced on social media last Friday (September 17).

Stourbridge was once again awarded a top gold award in the large town category - its tenth glittering gold gong gained over the years.

Stourbridge in Bloom organiser Mr Harcourt said: "I am so proud that we have been awarded a gold award for 2021. "In the toughest of years, it is a magnificent result."

Stourbridge councillor Nicolas Barlow said: "I am absolutely delighted Bloom has won gold. It is a fantastic achievement and down to the sheer hard work of volunteers."

Fellow ward councillor Steve Clark congratulated the team on their efforts and said: "The flowers have been absolutely fantastic throughout the town."

Red, white and blue blooms adorned the town's planters and baskets this year as a show of support for Euro 2020 and the Olympics and members of Stourbridge U3A worked hard to remove weeds, rubbish and stones on the pedestrian island from Hagley Road across the ring road to introduce new wild flowers.

An old concrete planter by the former library in Hagley Road was planted with flowers to attract the bees, while the town's Rainbow group got busy sowing seeds at Side Space at the old St John's Church, off the ring road.

Judge Nicola Clarke said of the town's entry: "Stourbridge in Bloom continues to go from strength to strength to create a splendid show of colourful plantings across the whole town, and continues to encourage and empower local communities, organisations, and businesses to get involved to make the town."

She said despite the challenges of the pandemic - the portfolio submitted gave a "very comprehensive and detailed update into the activities and success stories that have taken place in and around the town" and she added: "Ably led by David Harcourt, the Stourbridge in Bloom volunteers have demonstrated their efforts and endeavours are definitely of gold standard. Very well done to everyone involved."

Mark Wiltshire, co-ordinator of the Heart of England in Bloom campaign, said it had been "very difficult for the judges" this time round without the usual in-person visits to towns and villages but he added: "We wanted to engage with people as we didn't do anything last year."

He said a number of factors helped Stourbridge to pick up yet another gold accolade including "superb floral displays in Mary Stevens Park, some wonderful wild flower meadows, excellent partnership working with Dudley's street scene team, lots of pollinator friendly plants, an increasing number of volunteers helping out and a Bloom programme that helps to educate young people".

Halesowen also scooped a gold award in the urban community section in this year's awards.