TfL staff at Blackhorse Road Station picked up the gong at a City Hall awards ceremony last night

Staffers at Blackhorse Road Station have been recognised for having the best indoor garden across all Transport for London (TfL) stations. In awarding the station with the ‘Best Indoor Garden’ recognition, TfL described the garden as having “a cheerful feel and recycling message” and complimented its “use of a mix of artificial and real plants to ensure it lifts customers’ spirits”. The ‘In Bloom’ competition sees green-fingered TfL staff create gardens at stations, depots, and offices, often in collaboration with local people and businesses. The competition launched more than 100 years ago at the time of the District Railway, and over the decades staff have made creative use of space on the transport network with flower beds, vegetable patches, hanging baskets and window boxes on platforms, balconies and in spaces as small as control room windows. The theme for this year’s competition was ‘Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Earth,’ in recognition of climate change. There were a total of 57 entries for gardens across the TfL network. The awards were judged by more than 40 volunteers and the winners for 2023 were announced at an awards ceremony at City Hall yesterday evening (20th September). Aside from Blackhorse Road, other ‘In Bloom’ winners were Morden Station in south London which scooped the ‘Best in Show’ award, along with the ‘Fruit & Vegetables’ category. Staff at the station have been growing fruit and vegetables on the station’s disused platform for around eight years including sour cherries, chilli peppers and apricots to limes, kale and gooseberries. Meanwhile, Highbury & Islington Station won in the Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Earth category. Its small indoor garden includes air-purifying plants such as ivy, kentia palms and peace lilies. Mark Evers, TfL’s chief customer officer, said: “As a judge in our fiercely contested In Bloom competition, I am always so impressed by the fresh ideas, creativity and energy that staff and local people and businesses bring to these gardens, benefitting both staff and people travelling around the city. “While the gardens bring an element of tranquillity, inviting Londoners to slow down and savour a moment in nature, this year’s theme reflects the increasing urgency of tackling climate change, and the pace at which we are working as an organisation towards a cleaner, greener transport network.” Seb Dance, the deputy mayor for transport, said: “I am truly impressed by the dedication and creativity demonstrated by TfL staff at the annual ‘In Bloom’ competition. These gardens will bring a sense of calm and well-being to staff and people using the transport network. “The threats of climate change are increasing day by day. The theme for this year’s competition illustrates that all of us can play our part in creating a healthier planet and supports the Mayor’s aim to continue building a cleaner, greener and more prosperous London for everyone.”

No news is bad news 

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts. 

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less. 

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation. 

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit 

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month.  £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.

More information on supporting us monthly or annually 

More Information about donations