Tomorrow, at 10 o’clock on the steps of the Town Hall everyone will assemble for the judging process to start.
Along with the Mayor, Councillor Mervyn Hall, members of the Town Council and Marlborough in Bloom committee, the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) judges will be announced by a ‘Shout’ to the Marlborough public by Town Cryer Mike Tupman. Then the trip around all the exhibits within the town will start.
The opposition this year will be of a different league: as a result of last year’s success Marlborough now finds itself up against some of the ‘Premier League’ towns in the South West in the ‘Champion of Champions’ section, competing against the likes of Exeter, Truro and Portishead, all accomplished achievers over many years.
This year’s judges will be Jon Wheatley, Chairman of South West in Bloom and Denise James, Secretary of South West in Bloom, senior judges from the South West in Bloom region of the RHS reflecting Marlborough’s promotion to a higher level of competition.
“It’s a tough task but I’m confident that Marlborough will be judged to have performed extremely well” said MiB Committee Chair, Anne Crawley. ”Everyone has worked very hard and we are looking for a Gold award, we hope that the weather will hold up, the forecast looks good so that the town will be seen in all its glory.” she added.
The route taken by the judges will take in many of the town’s key areas, including the Merchant’s House, the High Street – visiting many of the shops presenting ‘Butterfly’ themed displays – see the pic of Kim Vine, the Victorian Cemetery, St Mary’s and St Peter’s and two of last year’s outstanding winners – ‘The Lamb’ in The Parade and the Waterfront Garden in Kennet Place. All topped off by lunch at Rick Steins.
Then – wait until 5th October for a trip to the Imperial Hotel in Torquay for the awards presentation.
