Last night, Bath scooped Gold & Category Winner in the Small City category at the 50th Britain in Bloom UK Final awards, Europe's biggest community gardening campaign now run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
There are more than 3,900 Bloom groups throughout Britain. Of these, just 71 finalists were chosen to represent their Region or Nation in the UK Finals*. Bath is representing South West.
Barry Cruse, MBE Chairman Bath in Bloom committee, said, 'This is a fantastic and well deserved result for Baths community groups, Parks dept and the many volunteers who have worked so hard not only in this special 50 anniversary year but every year. I am absolutely delighted.'
In July / August, the RHS Britain in Bloom judging panel, led by Roger Burnett toured the UK. This year for one year only Jim Buttress, BBC Great Allotment Challenge Judge and former head judge of RHS Britain in Bloom returned to the panel. They met community representatives of each finalist and visited local projects assessing against three key criteria: horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility.
Commenting on Bath in Bloom's efforts, RHS Judges said: 'Bath has been an entry into the UK Finals from the beginning of Britain in Bloom, and therefore also celebrates 50 years this year. Although Bath has always been known as a floral city, it now embraces the community spirit that is so important to the success of the ongoing campaign. With a chairman who has a passion for his city and the Bloom campaign, and a parks department with years of experience in delivering high-quality horticultural displays, Bath's place in Bloom history is assured.'
The RHS Britain in Bloom awards are a chance to celebrate the work of dedicated volunteers across the UK, of which there are up to 300,000, and to recognise achievement, innovation and a commitment to keeping our villages, towns and cities clean, green and thriving.
Bloom volunteers collectively invest nearly 11 million hours every year into local Bloomactivities, which equates to almost £70 million at the National Minimum Wage. It is hoped that the transformation of community spaces championed at the RHS Britain in Bloom awards ceremony will encourage even more people to get involved and help continue to make a positive difference over the next 50 years.
RHS Ambassador Adam Frost, who has won six Gold medals at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and started his career in a local authority parks department, hosted the annual ceremony, held this year at the Bristol Marriott City Centre and attended by almost 400 community gardening champions.
Adam said: 'In my early career I was involved in Britain in Bloom and in April this year I helped launch the 50th anniversary of this fantastic campaign. So, I know all about the amazing work that the thousands of Bloom volunteers up and down the country do on a daily basis. It's such an honor to be asked to present the awards to those who have made it to the national finals – they are all inspirational people.'
A number of discretionary awards were also given to communities and individuals who demonstrated excellence in a particular area of the campaign. These included awards for young people's involvement, environmental sustainability and community-wide participation, amongst others.