Shrewsbury Welcomes the Heart of England in Bloom Judges

The final preparations have been completed around the town as Shrewsbury welcomes the Heart of England in Bloom judges today [TUES].

Starting at Shrewsbury’s historic Castle, the judges have been taken on a tour of the town whilst assessing the town’s floral excellence against exacting criteria.

Shrewsbury Town Council is the driving force behind the town’s floral displays and receives support from members of the Shrewsbury in Bloom Group, Shropshire Council, Shrewsbury BID and volunteers across the town.

The Town Council’s planting schemes were completed at the beginning of the month, and the town is starting to look more colourful with a vast array of hanging baskets, planters and floral beds. The award-winning Dingle gardens have more than 30,000 plants in the formal flowerbeds and are always a highlight of the judges’ tour.

Town Clerk, Helen Ball said: “We always look forward to welcoming the Heart of England in Bloom judges to Shrewsbury and to showcase the fantastic work that everyone does to make the town look so wonderful. It’s been a challenge to maintain the blooms in the fierce heat of last week, but I am proud of the work our staff and volunteers have undertaken to ensure that the town is looking its best.

“Once again, due to our population size, we have entered the Small City category and we will be judged on the ‘three pillars of Bloom’ – horticultural excellence, environmental responsibility and community participation – and we hope that we have been able to demonstrate these criteria to the judges.”

Chairman of Shrewsbury in Bloom, Keith Roberts, added: “We’re proud to be in the Heart of England competition once again and it’s great that we have been able to welcome the judges for the first time since 2019.

“The varied weather we have experienced recently does highlight the hard work undertaken by everyone who has gone above and beyond to ensure that the town looks its best. I would like to thank everyone for their continued support which helps to make Shrewsbury the great place it is.”

The results will be announced at an awards ceremony in September.

ENDS/

Published: 26 July 2022