Press release: Park of the Year award for The Vine as Sevenoaks scoops Triple Gold at In Bloom awards

Published: 23 September 2024

Press release: Park of the Year award for The Vine as Sevenoaks scoops Triple Gold at In Bloom awards

The Vine won the top prize for Park of the Year plus Sevenoaks scooped Triple Gold at the In Bloom awards.
The Town Centre, the Upper High Street Gardens and The Vine all were awarded Gold at the South and South East in Bloom awards ceremony at RHS Wisley on Friday (20 Sept).
And for the first time The Vine won the accolade of Best in Class for parks in the region.

Cllr Dr Merilyn Canet, Chair of the Community Asset Working Group, who attended the ceremony, said: “Best in class is a first for us. The Vine is so well used by many people for concerts and fairs and relaxing, supported by our excellent cafe.
“Some local people, including the Soroptimists have supported our gardening team to achieve this result. Most users respect the park by taking rubbish home and sharing the space peacefully with others.
“I am proud that the Sevenoaks Town Council has developed and supported this shared park so well with everyone.”
The House in the Basement youth café at The Stag was awarded the category of Thriving for the Royal Horticultural Society ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ campaign (Community Gardening).
Mayor Cllr Libby Ancrum congratulated those who worked to make the town attractive for residents: “Wonderful news. Congratulations to the Open Spaces team and all concerned. A great tribute to the town.”
The Vine comprises The Vine Gardens and the historic cricket ground. It is also home to the 1850 cricket Pavilion, the restored bandstand from 1894 and the 19th century band practice room which was made into the Café on the Vine.
The Vine cricket ground, one of the oldest in existence, was given to the town by the 3rd Duke of Dorset, the owner of Knole, in around 1778. The first fully reported match between Kent and Sussex took place here in 1734.
The park remains at the heart of town activities, with a popular series of free concerts in the Vine bandstand during the summer and children’s theatre organised by Sevenoaks Town Council. The Town Council and Sevenoaks Town Team regularly partner with other organisations for a busy calendar of events such as food fairs, charity events and fairs, and festivals like the First Sevenoaks Bike Festival at the weekend (Sat September 21).