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Marlborough in Bloom
Welcome to Marlborough in Bloom 2015
Following last year’s unexpected success in the ‘Britain in Bloom’ competition, Marlborough will again be entering using all the experience gained first time round to become a stronger and more rounded entry and aiming for a ‘Gold’ award as well as turning Marlborough into a better place to live.
‘Britain in Bloom’ is intended as an enjoyable, positive experience which aims to bring the community together in a celebration of the places where we live. The competition has significant benefits for businesses as well as residents and visitors. In fact, areas with successful ‘In Bloom’ initiatives often bring increased revenue to the area, as well as higher footfall, reduced vacancy rates and tangible commercial advantages.
As a nation, Britain has long had a love of horticulture and floral landscapes, from individual gardens to allotments and town centre displays. Nowhere is this more clearly demonstrated than through the dedicated efforts of the thousands of volunteers who take part in the annual Britain in Bloom competition, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014.
| Latest displays around the Town |
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| Click to view some of the beautiful displays set out in many parts of Marlborough |
Run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) since 2001, the nationwide competition has gone from strength to strength, involving 200,000 volunteers across the UK. Complementing the ‘In Bloom’ competition is the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ (IYN) scheme which aims to support small volunteer-led community groups. Marlborough in Bloom has three IYN entries, all dedicated to create long term environmental improvement with involvement from as wide a section of the community as possible: The Victorian Cemetery on Marlborough Downs, Stonebridge Wild River Reserve and Manton Village.
Judging Day for Marlborough in Bloom is set for July 14th (see map of judges route above – click to enlarge) when Marlborough will be judged on three main criteria:
HORTICULTURAL ACHIEVEMENT: The colour scheme for 2015 is citrus flowers; the Chamber of Commerce is arranging for their members to display and maintain citrus themed hanging baskets along the judging route. Gardens in River Park and Marlborough College gardens will be assessed for good practice in cultivation and maintenance and the parks and open spaces around the town will be groomed to perfection by Marlborough’s devoted Grounds and Estate Management Team.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY: This looks at how well the community as a whole has been involved, as well as the media coverage generated and overall public awareness. The litter-picking days are very popular because Marlborough’s citizens are proud of their town and cleaner, greener streets make for a more cohesive community.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION: This is where the fun begins! For the children, there’s worm charming in Priory Gardens and an RHS Childrens Painting Competition with all the entries on display in the Town Hall.
We shall also be introducing our ‘Citrus’ theme inside the shops (watch this space!) on the High Street and bands of volunteer litter-pickers will be out on the first Monday of every month keeping the streets clean. On Judging Day, Faux Arts is organizing a street-painting event in the Parade.
All your efforts will be welcomed, the more of us that become involved, the stronger the entry and we all end up with a better place to live. And maybe a ‘Gold’ award at the end. Hold on to your hats – Marlborough in Bloom is going for Gold in 2015.
Below are a selection of pics taken by Marlborough in Bloom’s photographer, Eric Gilbert, capturing the beauty of Marlborough across the period from last year’s event to the early plantings for this year’s entry. Click any pic to enlarge
