The Borough has won many awards in the Britain in Bloom competitions and has reached the national finals three times in recent years.
In 2000 Bedworth Miners’ Welfare Park won an award as ‘Best Public Park in the Country’, and visitors are always impressed by the beauty of the displays. After a three year break from the competition the Borough entered again in 2005 and won a prestigious Silver-Gilt Award.
In 2001 the Borough won the regional city title. Public art in both towns contributes to the very evident pride of place. It includes the ‘Miner in the Park’ by Stella Carr in Bedworth, and a newly commissioned carved sculpture by Graeme Mitcheson depicting the ribbon weaving and industrial history of the town. In Nuneaton’s Newdegate Square there is the John Letts statue of George Eliot which brings visitors from far and wide.
In 2003 a feature entitled The Gold Belt, by Alisha Miller, was constructed alongside the river Anker. It depicts part of Nuneaton’s history as interpreted by community groups. There are other community arts projects in preparation.
The Miners' Welfare Park has a Leisure Centre with a recently refurbished fitness gym and dance studio. It also offers a 25 metre swimming pool with flume, a squash court, crèche, café and a multi-sports area. There are facilities for tennis, bowls, and pitch and putt. For younger people there is a very successful state of the art skate park.
In Nuneaton, Riversley Park has riverside walks and open spaces, as well as lovely formal flower beds around the Museum and Art Gallery with its George Eliot Gallery and spacious tea room. The park is linked to the George Eliot Memorial Garden, which has a footbridge across the river linking it to the town centre. We also organise guided tours of George Eliot Country.
You can walk or cycle on Sustrans route 52, known as the Wem Brook trail, to the Pingles (and beyond), another area of open space and sporting facilities, all without going near a road. Here there are tennis courts and an athletics stadium.
The Pingles Leisure Centre includes a 25 metre, 8 lane, regional level competition pool and a leisure pool with a bubble pool and an outdoor water area. There is also a crèche, café and health and fitness gym with dance studio.
From the Pingles there is easy access to the adjacent Chilvers Coton Craft Centre, Heritage Centre and parish church.
In early spring the crocuses and daffodils bring cheerfulness after the drabness of winter and the flower beds in the parks are a constantly changing sequence of colours as hyacinths give way to tulips and wall flowers.
In the summer both town centres, as well as the neighbouring large village of Bulkington, burst into colour with bedding displays, hanging baskets and window boxes. Roundabouts, verges, central reservations and open spaces are a riot of colour, giving pleasure to residents and visitors alike.
