A HALESOWEN pub has been recognised for having the best floral displays as part of the town's In Bloom awards.

Halesowen In Bloom has just announced it selected the Edward VII on Stourbridge Road to be the winner of its 2019 awards.

The Why Not Inn, in Whynot Street, (pictured below) was given a Champion of Champions Award as recognition of its blooming lovely displays every year.

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The best hanging basket (pictured below) was won by The Loyal Lodge, Furnace Hill with The Clock Inn on Nimmings Road runner up.

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Secretary of Halesowen In Bloom (HIB) Hilary Bills said: "The most improved was The Hawne Tavern on Attwood Street but all the competing pubs, The Swan, The Shenstone, The George, The Whitley, The Waggon and Horses, The Rose & Crown, The Fairfield Inn and The Lutley Oak should be congratulated for their high floral standards."

An awards ceremony was due to be held at the BID office in Halesowen town centre with certificates already printed, but has had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis.

Barbara Woodin, who runs the Edward VII with her partner Ray Bowater, said she was glad of some good news, after pubs had been forced to close.

She said: "I'm shocked - I heard a rumour we had won, but I didn't know!

"It's nice to get good news after everything that has happened."

This year's Heart of England In Bloom judging has also been cancelled.

Hilary Bills said: “This is such a shame.

"We had everything ready to celebrate last year’s results and had lots of new ideas for this year.

"It was going to be our opportunity to announce the results of the pub competition and to celebrate the wonderful pubs we have in Halesowen which put on spectacular displays every year.”

Halesowen in Bloom had a very successful year in 2019.

It won Gold Award again in the Heart of England competition and came third in our category in the Communities Together International Competition, even beating Budapest into fourth place.

Eve O’Connor, chair of HIB committee, said: “The sensible decision has been made to suspend Bloom judging this year.

"We will still put out the summer displays to bring a bit of cheer at this challenging time.”