Bury in Bloom host judges to try to win Britain in Bloom category
Judges from the UK’s largest community gardening competition visited Bury St Edmunds this week as the town competed in its finals for the first time since 2018.
A reception was held for the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Britain in Bloom team on Tuesday after their visit to the town which is representing East Anglia to win the BID, Town Centre, City Centre category.
Facing off against six other towns across the country, Bury in Bloom’s co-ordinator David Irvine, said it was exciting to be in the finals again.
He said: “It’s been great to see the town so alive and buzzing with support as we embarked on our judging route; a route that was difficult to choose given so many areas of the town are looking their best.
“We are up against some tough competitors from Cumbria to Cornwall and Blackburn to Sevenoaks but our town did us proud today and looked beautiful despite the recent heatwave – a challenge which was met, with much appreciation, by the West Suffolk Council team.”
Bury in Bloom said it pulled out all the stops in the hope of securing a much sought after RHS gold award.
The winners of each category in the competition will then be considered for the title of the overall RHS Britain in Bloom Champion for 2022.
The Britain in Bloom judging follows closely behind the Anglia in Bloom judging - in which the town already has 10 gold medals in - which took place two weeks ago.
This week’s judging though put sustainability at its heart by looking at the competitor’s take on encouraging a positive impact on the environment.
David said: “This is an area we truly think we may have success following the installation of the rainwater harvesting tank at Greene King and a further harvesting site planned at other town sites as well as the 100 per cent use of peat-free compost following two years’ trials.
“We were also able to show the judges the council’s electric street cleaner and other electric machinery demonstrating our plans for a greener Bury St Edmunds.’’
The results and winners of Britain in Bloom will be announced at London’s Linden Hall in October.
