Locals root together for bloom success

The Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Britain in Bloom finals officially launch later this month (28 February 2008), with a new theme to encourage communities to come together to improve their home towns, cities and villages.

The ‘Local Roots’ theme builds on the sterling work by previous Britain in Bloom entrants and provides a judging framework for this year’s sixty-nine community finalists.

Bloom Britain, supported by Shredded Wheat, is the largest horticultural campaign in Europe. It encourages people to create long-lasting improvements to their local environments through high levels of cleanliness and the imaginative planting of trees, shrubs and flowers. Each year over 1,000 communities enter the Britain in Bloom competition at a regional level, battling it out over a twelve month period to become the representatives for their region, in the Britain in Bloom finals organised by the RHS.

Alice Paterson, Britain in Bloom Campaign Manager at the RHS, explained further: “This year the judges will be awarding points to those finalists who can demonstrate they have implemented the ‘Local Roots’ theme.

“For example, they will be looking for evidence of working with school children, retired groups or faith groups – it’s all about creating a sense of local identity through diversity. By joining together as a community we hope that more people will start to take an interest in their environment and surroundings, and work to keep their bit of the world greener and cleaner for all to enjoy.”

Roger Burnett, RHS Britain in Bloom Chairman of Judges, said: “Britain in Bloom is more than just flowers and bedding displays. Community involvement is one of the central themes for the campaign: engaging all aspects of the community, from historical and cultural traditions through to socially excluded groups and new residents, is vital for success.

“With ‘Local Roots’, we want to involve more people in the Campaign, and show what can be achieved by being inclusive and environmentally aware.”

This year’s Britain in Bloom competition launches on 28 February 2008 in Scarborough. For more information on RHS Britain in Bloom visit Rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom.