The village of Ranby is celebrating after winning four prestigious awards at this year’s East Midlands in Bloom competition, judged in July. Ranby was crowned Winner of the Small Village Category, an outstanding achievement that recognises the collective effort, creativity and dedication of residents who worked tirelessly to present the village at its very best. In addition to this top accolade, Ranby also received:
- Judges’ Award: recognising the Ranby Emergency WhatsApp Group, a community initiative providing vital neighbour-to-neighbour support.
- Young Persons’ Award: awarded to Ranby Primary School, where pupils created colourful planting displays, including a cheerful floral ‘RANBY’ installation in decorated buckets, and showed their dedication to growing vegetables and plants throughout the year.
- Best Improved Entrant: celebrating the village’s progress and enhanced displays since last year’s entry, as well as the depth and growth of community engagement.
Alongside the Bloom committee, dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the year to deliver imaginative planting schemes, sustainable practices such as composting and water conservation, and community-driven events including the VE Day celebration and charity fundraisers. The support of Ranby Primary School and the Seth Ellis Canal team played a key role in the village’s success, as did the generosity of residents who contributed donations and time.
A spokesperson for the Ranby in Bloom committee said: “We are absolutely thrilled. These awards are the result of a true team effort – from children growing sunflowers to residents planting and maintaining displays, and our volunteers working constantly to keep the village looking beautiful. Ranby may be small, but the sense of pride and community spirit here is huge.”
This success highlights Ranby’s growing reputation as a village where heritage, nature and community come together. With ongoing projects at the churchyard, school and Fun Field, the team is already hard at work preparing for next year’s competition.