Crawley has been chosen to represent the very best in community horticulture as the town prepares to participate in the 2010 Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Britain in Bloom Finals.
The town is one of 67 finalists from across the UK competing in 13 categories. Crawley is in the large town/small city (population of 35,000-100,000) category with Derry City, Fareham, Bedford and Whitehaven.
This is a result of the town’s double gold success in the RHS South and South East in Bloom Awards last September.
Councillor Lenny Walker, Cabinet member for Leisure and Cultural Services, said: “This is an exciting year for Crawley. Our double gold last year was a massive success and we hope to go one better this time.
“It’s a credit to all the council staff and volunteers who work all-year round to make Crawley an award winner.
“The competition will be tough but we will do all we can to wow the judges in August and hopefully be crowned winners!”
All who reach the UK Finals are aiming to earn the highest recognition for their efforts, a gold medal, and possibly be awarded the title of category winner.
Stephanie Eynon, Community Horticulture Manager, RHS, said: “Britain in Bloom was originally started in 1964 by the tourist board as a way of marketing the country and so the emphasis was on making towns and villages look as attractive as possible through the inclusion of hanging baskets, bedding plants and floral displays. Britain in Bloom has come a long way since then.
“The RHS took over the competition in 2002 and since then we have continued the development of the campaign to place increasing emphasis on involving the
community and caring for the environment.
“Today we see RHS Britain in Bloom as a genuinely relevant and integrated initiative, enabling people to join together to improve their local communities through a range of long-term, sustainable and locally defined projects. Not only does Britain in Bloom improve people’s sense of civic pride but it is also hugely beneficial to the environment.”
The finalists’ ‘Bloom’ year will officially launch on March 24 with a mass planting exercise across the country. It will close with the annual awards ceremony on September 29. RHS judges will visit each community throughout two weeks in August to appraise the entries and to prepare expert advice to help each community improve on their efforts for future years.
For more information on RHS Britain in Bloom, which supports communities in becoming healthier, greener and more socially responsible through gardening, visit www.rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom
Sign up to the Crawley Happy Times for all the latest news.
