This is the first year that this Award has been given. A cup for the Best Young Persons’ project has been donated by Ashville House, a Downham Market Care Home and the residents felt that as part of Downham In Bloom, it would be nice to reward young people for their efforts within the town. Downham In Bloom already organises the Primary Schools’ seed tray and the Care Homes’ container garden competitions, so it was felt there was a definite gap for the over 12’s age group. Therefore this year the Downham In Bloom Committee decided that the Award should go to Downham Academy for their overall project in the Town Hall comprising the thought-provoking Bread or Blood video presentation – complete with costumes – and for the beautiful artwork that is at present hanging in the Reception area. This art display has made the area come to life and we have received many compliments on the paintings.
The Academy was further nominated by the visiting Anglia In Bloom Judges for an overall Anglia in Bloom Award. Although not outright winners, the recognition was very prestigious as the process involved the visiting judges personally commending projects they had assessed from throughout the five counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire.
The Academy were presented with their cup and certificate by the Mayor of Downham Market Cllr John Doyle and the Chairman of Downham Market In Bloom Cllr Mrs Pam Sharp in a ceremony at Downham Market Town Council Offices on Tuesday 16th September.
Overall Downham Market achieved a High Silver Gilt Award and the Academy certainly significantly contributed to this the town’s highest accolade to date.
