All across the country, volunteer gardeners have been biting their nails as a crack team of RHS judges tours green spaces from North Berwick to Newquay deciding which are to scoop the top awards in this year’s Britain in Bloom competition.
Britain in Bloom
It’s the competition’s 53rd year and 78 cities, towns and villages have made it through to become the select group of finalists who are judged by the RHS experts. Seven towns – Aberdeen, Elswick, Harrogate, Hillsborough, Oldham, Portishead and St Peter Port in Guernsey – are competing for the ultimate award of Champion of Champions.
Completely run by volunteers, the Bloom groups have primped and pruned their plants to perfection in a bid to impress the judges. Between them, they have planted over a million trees, shrubs, bulbs and other plants to create green areas for the whole community to enjoy.
Their entries are marked against three key criteria: horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility. A new award for this year is Gardening in a Changing Climate, which recognises a group’s commitment to sustainable environmental practices in horticulture.
“Britain in Bloom really brings out the best in people and is a force for good across the UK,” said Roger Burnett, Chair of the RHS Britain in Bloom judging panel.
Results are announced at the Britain in Bloom Awards Ceremony in Llandudno, North Wales, on 27 October. In the meantime, why not do your bit to brighten up your neighbourhood? Perhaps you’ve got a front garden which could do with a makeover, or you know of a community space which could become a beautiful garden with a little help from friends and neighbours. Head over to the garden centre in Stocksfield for loads of inspiration and ideas: just pop in for a chat today and we’ll be delighted to help you turn your plans into reality.
