Padiham Fennyfold Community Garden wins top Britain in Bloom award for third year running
Padiham's Fennyfold Community Garden project has achieved the highest accolade available from the Royal Horticultural Society's Britain in Bloom campaign for the third year in a row, with members now aiming to gain the distinction for five years in a row.
A community garden is celebrating achieving the highest accolade available from the Royal Horticutural Society’s Britain in Bloom campaign.
Padiham’s Fennyfold Community Garden project received a level five award, which ranks it as outstanding, for 2026. It’s the third year in a row the group has achieved this and members have now set a goal to gain the distinction for five years in a row.
2027 marks the group’s fifth birthday and it will become registered in the National Garden scheme’s ‘Little Yellow Book of Gardens and Health’ an annual publication that highlights gardens and the enormous health benefits they bring.
Project leader Jean Hanson said: “Our popular community garden offers a break from the stresses of life. We grow our own plants here to share with visitors and nearby allotment holders in Padiham and Burnley.”
This year the group grew around 2,000 plug plants along with sowing seeds and taking cuttings. Volunteers plant up the red telephone box in Padiham town centre over the summer and winter season. They have grown vegetables with schools and community groups, sharing produce with volunteers and local cafes.
The group harvest their own water for plants and also reuse and recycle pots and plastic waste to keep the garden sustainable.
Jean added: “It is with great pride we shine a light on Padiham when competing with so many great green spaces around Manchester, Rossendale and Lancashire.
“A huge thank you to our awesome volunteers that make our garden so successful.”