BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, has been awarded first prize in the category of Business/Public Premises in the ‘Brent in Bloom’ competition in 2010 – for the second consecutive year.

‘Brent in Bloom’ is an annual competition that provides an opportunity for the local community to exhibit their gardening skills and aims to make the borough more attractive for residents and visitors alike. It has seven categories with marks awarded for colour, design, quality of plants, and cleanliness. The competition also acts as the first heat in the ‘In Bloom' campaign, which leads to the regional heat, ‘London in Bloom’, and then the national award, ‘Britain in Bloom’.

Judges visited entries across Greater London in July to cast their professional eye over the efforts of the communities to decide the winners in each category. The Mandir was selected as the best Business/Public Premises in Brent, and was acknowledged with a special discretionary award which is presented to community groups, local authorities, businesses, and individuals who have achieved excellence in a specific category.

Hansa H. Patel, landscape designer and manager of the small garden surrounding the Mandir, expressed, “It’s wonderful to be acknowledged for our gardens for the second year running. I think it shows how much it means to us to make our borough greener and more beautiful for everyone.”

The Mandir’s garden is just one more endeavour in BAPS’s continued commitment to working towards a greener, safer environment. Recent initiatives have included observing World Earth Hour and the launch of a Green Travel Plan.

This latest award also reiterates the Mandir’s positive impact for the local community. After receiving the ‘Pride of Place’ award in 2007, it has also recently been voted to represent the Borough of Brent in the 2012 Olympic Games Pin Badge campaign.

For a report of last year’s ‘Brent in Bloom’ award, please click here.