Royal Horticultural Society Judges Marvel At Belper in Bloom

RHS quest to find cleanest, greenest and most beautiful places in the UK.

From Aberdeen in Scotland down to St Helier in Jersey, Belper in Bloom is one of 78 finalists vying to win a Gold award in this year’s Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) national Britain in Bloom competition.

Belper was today visited by RHS judges Nigel Bishop and Kim Parish. After being treated to a new Tracey Wilkinson song performed by Rough Truffles and the Chevin Singers, a presentation from Ann Pocklingtron and a news conference the judges were taken on a tour of the town by Cllr John Nelsn. The tour included King Street, the Memorial Gardens, the River Gardens, the Railway station, Calders Corner and the Whitemoor Centre.

The Bloom group is competing in the Large Town category of the quintessentially British competition with hopes of being recognised as one of the cleanest, greenest and most beautiful places in the UK.

Belper in Bloom will be looking to impress the judges by showing them the very best of the East Midlands community horticulture. The group’s entry will be assessed across three key criteria: horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility.

Cllr John Nelson Chair of Belper in Bloom said: “All the staff at the Borough and Town Council and the many volunteers and community groups have been working incredibly hard to prepare for the judges arrival. We have been busy litter picking, watering and weeding so that our displays look their best for the big day.

“This is the Towns third time that we’ve got through to the national stages of the competition and we are really looking forward to welcoming the judges and showing them what a brilliant town Belper is.”

Each finalist will be awarded a Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver or Bronze medal when the results are announced at the Britain in Bloom awards ceremony in Llandudno, North Wales on 27 October.

There is also an award for being the best in category, as well as special discretionary awards for achieving excellence in particular areas. These include involving children and young people, gardening in a changing climate and overcoming adversity.

Andrea Van-Sittart, RHS Head of Community Outreach said: “The Britain in Bloom judging gives groups the chance to showcase all the wonderful work that they do, all year round.

“Over the past year alone, our national finalists have planted over a million trees, shrubs, bulbs and other plants, making places greener and more sustainable, and providing areas for the whole community to relax and enjoy. I wish all of this year’s finalists the very best of luck.”

Britain in Bloom is the UK’s biggest community gardening campaign – up to 300,000 volunteers are involved in transforming our villages, towns and cities into greener and more pleasant places to live.