Silloth-on-Solway is Blooming Ready for Royal Horticultural Society UK Finals Judging

RHS Britain in Bloom judging tour takes place on 4 August 2016

Green fingered volunteers from Silloth-on-Solway have been busy putting the finishing touches to their Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom campaign ahead of the arrival of RHS judges on 4 August 2016.

Last summer 72 locations were selected to represent their region/nation in this year’s Britain in Bloom finals, each hoping to score top marks and be announced category winner at an awards ceremony in Birmingham on 14 October.  Silloth-on-Solway is in the Coastal up to 12k category, alongside Bute, Filey, Mablethorpe, Newcastle (Ulster), St Brelade and Tenby.

When assessing Silloth-on-Solway, judges will take into consideration three key criteria: horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility, demonstrated across public spaces such as town or city centres, parks and communal gardens, as well as natural spaces including conservation areas and wildflower meadows. Each entry’s final score also takes into account a whole range of complementary factors, from the condition of street furniture to the engagement of young people in Bloom activities.

UK-wide Britain in Bloom groups transform an estimated 3,459 acres, equivalent to 9.9 Hyde Parks or 1,965 football pitches into green havens for all. Bloom volunteers have transformed derelict land into community gardens, greened grey spaces, brightened up streets with floral displays, cleared litter, grown fresh produce, and so much more. As part of their commitment to creating green spaces in their communities Britain in Bloom groups, including the 72 finalists, have planted more than 10 million plants, trees and bulbs over the past year.

Roger Burnett, Chair of the RHS Britain in Bloom judging panel, said: ‘Britain in Bloom is a real movement for good that is transforming neighbourhoods, creating communities and bringing the many health and wellbeing benefits of gardening to increasing numbers of people from every walk of life.

“The RHS Britain in Bloom finals are an opportunity to celebrate the tens of thousands of often unheralded volunteers who readily give up their time to improve their local environment. My fellow judges and I are immensely proud to be able to see the fruits of their labour and celebrate the work they do.”

Silloth in Bloom Chairman, Bill Jefferson said “I am over the moon that Silloth-on-Solway has finally achieved the national recognition it deserves, being shortlisted by Britain in Bloom in its small coastal town category – a category which Silloth has won in Cumbria for the past two years. The three national judges have been sent a full portfolio of the case for Silloth and I look forward to walking round with them next Thursday. It’s a fantastic achievement for the town and a tribute to the vitality and hard work of its community over many years. We are the smallest town by far in the competition but I don’t think we’ll let them down.”

Andrea Van Sittart, RHS Head of Regional Development, said: “RHS Britain in Bloom puts communities front and centre as we recognise the amazing work they have done, often under incredibly difficult circumstances.”

“This year we will be presenting a new award that will recognise the efforts Bloom groups have made to make their communities greener and more beautiful places, often while facing adversity – from flooding to extreme heat and vandalism. Although the character, selflessness and resolve of Bloom Groups are well known, this new award will shine a light on the often uncelebrated work communities do to make the UK a greener, healthier place to live.”

“The finalists should be immensely proud of all they’ve achieved to get this far, and I wish them the very best of luck!”

For information on how to take part visit: www.rhs.org.uk/communities/campaigns/britain-in-bloom

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Press enquiries

For more information, please contact Garfield Myrie in the RHS press office on 020 7821 3060 or garfieldmyrie@rhs.org.uk

Wendy Jameson, Town Clerk, Silloth-on-Solway Town Council   Tel: 0777 5686857 or Email: townclerk@silloth-on-solway.co.uk

Photocall opportunity

Members of the press are invited to attend the Golf Hotel, Criffel Street, Silloth on Thursday 4 August 2016 at 12.45 pm, when the RHS judges will meet with volunteers. Press photos may be taken at the event.

Notes to Editors:

Silloth in Bloom

For more information about the different Silloth in Bloom projects:-

https://www.dropbox.com/s/e23hrolq9mwxywk/BiB_Portfolio_V7Silloth%20on%20Solway%20Small%20Coastal%20Community.pdf?dl=0

Britain in Bloom with the RHS

• The UK’s biggest community gardening campaign involves up to 300,000 passionate local volunteers who work year-round to keep our neighbourhoods and streets green, clean and thriving.
• Bloom was started by the British Tourist Authority as a way to attract visitors to the UK through floral displays. In 2001, the RHS took over as organisers and have developed the campaign to include greater focus on community participation and environmental responsibility.
• In 2006, the RHS launched a new grass roots level for Bloom – It’s Your Neighbourhood (IYN) – aimed at small volunteer groups (such as youth groups, ‘Friends of’ groups, etc.) which has grown from 342 to nearly 2,300 groups.
• Since 1964, Bloom has evolved from what many saw as a rural hanging basket competition to a major socio-environmental campaign that is improving villages, towns and cities across the UK. In 2014 Britain in Bloom celebrated its 50^th anniversary as Britain’s favourite gardening campaign.

About the RHS

The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 by Sir Joseph Banks and John Wedgwood to inspire passion and excellence in the science, art and practice of horticulture. Our vision is to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener, healthier, happier and more beautiful place. We believe everyone in every village, town and city should benefit from growing plants to enhance lives, build stronger, healthier, happier communities and create better places to live.

We held our first flower shows in 1820, were granted a Royal Charter in 1861 and acquired RHS Garden Wisley, our flagship garden, in 1903. From our first meetings in a small room off London’s Piccadilly, we have grown to become the world’s largest gardening charity. At our gardens and shows and through our scientific research, publications, libraries and our education and community programmes we inspire a passion for gardening and growing plants, promote the value of gardens, demonstrate how gardening is good for us and explain the vital roles that plants undertake.

The RHS is committed to bring the joy of gardening to millions more people, inspire the next generation of gardeners and invest in the future to safeguard a £10.4 billion industry employing more than 300,000 people. We are entirely funded by our members, visitors and supporters. RHS membership is for anyone with an interest in gardening. Support the RHS and help us secure a healthy future for gardening. For more information call: 020 3176 5820, or visit www.rhs.org.uk/join

RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262

The 2016 RHS Britain in Bloom National Judging Panel

2016 judging schedule: