Shrewsbury welcomes the Britain in Bloom judges today [TUES] when they will be judging the town’s floral excellence in the Small City category of the national Royal Horticultural Society’s [RHS] annual Bloom competition.
Shrewsbury Town Council is spearheading the town’s floral push, with the support of members of the Shrewsbury in Bloom committee which includes a number of community volunteers and council officers from both the town and unitary authorities.
The Town Centre has already been transformed into a riot of colour, with staff having worked hard to complete the summer planting schedule.
Thousands of colourful blooms have now been planted out around Shrewsbury in hanging baskets, planters and floral beds, with more than 30,000 plants alone designated for Shrewsbury’s award winning Dingle garden.
Town Clerk, Helen Ball said: “Now that the Shrewsbury Town Council staff have completed the floral planting schemes around the town, we’re looking forward to welcoming the Britain in Bloom judges to view our wonderful town.
“The exceptionally hot weather this year has produced its fair share of problems for our horticultural staff, particularly with ensuring the plants are well watered. But they have done a great job, having faced numerous obstacles along the way.”
Councillor Keith Roberts, Chairman of Shrewsbury in Bloom, added: “It is testament to the hard work and great skill of the Town Council’s staff that the town’s floral features are looking as good as they do, especially with the hot summer we are having.
“We realise that the ongoing works on Pride Hill are an issue, but the judges are aware that this is a working town, and that investment in infrastructure needs to be completed. The judges will take this into account as they are shown around Shrewsbury and will also have the benefit of a representative from Shropshire Council to explain the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package as part of a wider plan for investment in the town centre.”
Britain in Bloom participants are visited by a team of two judges during the UK finals judging fortnight. The judges will award medals based on the score achieved. Gold is presented for ‘an exceptionally high standard demonstrated throughout.’
Now in its 54th year, the nationwide competition pits rural villages, urban corners and city centres against one another across a range of criteria that includes horticultural know-how, community involvement as well as conservation and biodiversity schemes.
Shrewsbury is in competition against Rochdale, Derry City and Durham.
The results for the competition will be announced at an awards ceremony in Belfast in October.