Woolton in Bloom is to represent the North West in the 50th Bloom finals
The village has been selected from more than 1,000 entrants to take part in the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom UK Finals 2014, as the campaign celebrates its fiftieth anniversary.
The national Britain in Bloom judges nominated Woolton to the national finals of the competition following the regional stage of judging in 2013. Woolton was selected for engaging every element of the community, for demonstrating an exceptional commitment to helping the environment and for horticultural excellence. It has now been nominated by the RHS for the prestigious Champion of Champions Category – one of only five entries in the whole country.
Two years ago Woolton in Bloom constructed a large floral crown to commemorate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee which proved a huge success. Last year it was replanted in honour of the Coronation. This year our main feature is a WW1 soldier sitting in a trench surrounded by poppies (pictured above)
Young people from Gateacre School have also decorated Woolton’s Lambanana, named Poppy this year, with poppies and WW1 medals, and also sunflowers to represent its two themes.
Woolton will be visited by two RHS judges, Brendan Mowforth and Mark Wasilewski who will spend two and a half hours in the village, where they will also meet Lord Mayor, Councillor Erica Kemp. Woolton in Bloom Chair, Couincillor Barbara Mace said “We are really looking forward to meeting Brendan and Mark when they visit our village – it’s always so useful when they give us advice on ways we can improve our public spaces even more. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who help keep our village tidy and beautiful”
Results will be announced at an awards ceremony in Bristol this October and will be attended by representatives of all 74 finalists.
Kerry Peacock, Horticultural Manager of Woolton in Bloom, said “It is the highest possible honour to be nominated for Champion of Champions in this the 50th Anniversary of the RHS. From small beginnings in 2001 Woolton has won accolade after accolade, Gold after Gold, and to win Gold again would means so much to the small group of volunteers who work hard all year round.”
Stephanie Eynon, RHS Community Horticulture Manager, said: “This is a really special year to be an RHS Britain in Bloom finalist because it’s the fiftieth anniversary of the campaign. We would like to congratulate every group for reaching the finals of RHS Britain in Bloom but of course it’s not about beating fellow finalists, it’s about volunteers of all ages and walks of life gaining recognition for their extraordinary efforts to improve streets and neighbourhoods in towns, villages and cities across Britain. The awards are our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ and may I wish Woolton in Bloom and every finalist the very best of luck in this golden anniversary year.”
The story of Britain in Bloom began in 1964 when the tourist board wanted a way to market the country through floral displays. Since the RHS took over as the organising body in 2001, the focus of the campaign has widened to include helping the environment, strengthening communities and inspiring more people to get involved.*
Although the campaign runs all year round, the run-up to the judges’ tour is a time when communities throughout the UK unite and redouble their efforts.
For more information on RHS Britain in Bloom www.rhs.org.uk/communities