Bankside and Waterloo’s green spaces are ‘outstanding’, says RHS

BOST entered two SE1 districts in the RHS It's Your Neighbourhood competition to attain the highest level. The Waterloo area included Waterloo Millennium Green, Christ Church Garden, Styles House and Hatfields Green. A central group embraced Mint Street Park, Red Cross Garden, Little Dorrit Park, Pattison House, Redman Green and Tate Modern community garden.

"I am so delighted that after inspecting both these areas and meeting some of the special people involved the RHS has decided to award the level of Outstanding to both," said BOST director Helen Firminger.

"We knew that our volunteers and staff were very good, we are all rather pleased that the RHS thinks so too. This is a victory for all the hard working volunteers who have helped digging new flower beds, planting, watering, pruning, mulching, and tidying these gardens, as well as those who help with ideas and the very special people who keep an eye on all these gardens when we are not there."

The planted ground in the parks is maintained entirely by volunteers working directly with BOST or in collaboration through such groups as Putting Down Roots, Friends of Hatfields Green, Redman and Bittern TRA.

Mary O'Connell from BOST accepted the awards on behalf of the communities at an award ceremony at St Luke's Centre in Islington. The presentation was made by Miles Watson-Smyth, trustee of London in Bloom and owner & director of Windowflowers.

BOST, which last year won a 'thriving' award, now plans to enter the competition again next year and is continuing to seek volunteers across Waterloo, Bankside and Borough to help care for green places which everyone can enjoy.

• BOST's AGM and end-of-year celebration will be held on Thursday 8 November at the Ability Media Centre