It’s judgement day for Marlborough in Bloom

‘Bloomin’ lovely!’  That’s how Marlborough appeared this morning (10 July) for the ‘South West in Bloom’ (SWIB) judges’ walk around the town.  This is the fifth year running that the town has entered the South West in Bloom competition and today the BBC were here to film for a special ‘Britain in Bloom’ programme for BBC2 to be shown February 2019.

Steve Pascall, Chairman of Marlborough in Bloom said, “Having obtained the gold award last year we knew we had to work hard to maintain the standard and people really have.  Marlborough is the best it’s been for a long time.  The flower tubs are looking brilliant and St Mary’s Churchyard is immaculate.”

The judges look at three areas – horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community involvement.  As well as the support of local shops and businesses, Town Council groundsmen, volunteers and sponsors, several other groups have made a huge contribution to Marlborough in Bloom.

Action for the River Kennet, the community orchard on the Common, the waterfront garden at Kennet Place, Transition Marlborough who are campaigning for better air quality and the creation of the Bee Corridor, the Friends of the Victorian Cemetery, the Richmond Fellowship who are responsible for the Plume of Feathers gardens, have all made a tremendous contribution.

New this year are the gardens and floral displays at Alma Place, just off the High Street, and the Town Council’s anti dog fouling campaign in conjunction with Drove Vets.

The theme for this year’s MIB is ‘birds’ and pupils from Preshute Primary School entered an art competition on this theme.  The winners’ art work can be seen in the window of the former ‘Lighting of Distinction’ shop on the High Street.  The Mayor will be presenting the winners with prizes donated by The White Horse bookshop.

SWIB judges also visited the gardens at Marlborough College, the seventeenth century garden of the Merchant’s House and Preshute School’s rain garden.

The results of this year’s SWIB competition will be announced sometime in October.