DIBBERS AT THE READY
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has revealed finalists in the nationwide Britain in Bloom competition that rewards environmental responsibility, community participation and horticultural achievement
Now in its 54th year, 76 community gardening groups will battle it out to be crowned the cleanest, greenest and most beautiful place in the UK in the 2018 Britain in Bloom competition – and two Ribble Valley villages are among the finalists.
Whalley which has been nominated in the ‘Small Town’ category and Chipping nominated in the ‘Village’ category, will be competing in the nationwide competition that pits rural villages, urban corners and city centres against one another across a range of criteria that includes horticultural know-how, community engagement, efforts to bolster biodiversity and climate change adaptation.
Finalists are put forward to the national final based on their progress locally and will be scored by a team of RHS national judges in the summer.
Chair of the Britain in Bloom judging panel, Darren Share said: “The Britain in Bloom campaign galvanises communities and provides the driving force for thousands of gardening enthusiasts across the country.
“Britain in Bloom groups work tirelessly throughout the year to tackle local issues and improve the place they call home. Everyone benefits from the work these groups carry out and I have seen first-hand the positive impact Britain in Bloom has in bringing communities together.”
The RHS Britain in Bloom judges will visit the finalists in August with the winners of each category and finalists’ final score – ranging from Gold to Bronze – announced at an awards ceremony in Belfast on 19th October.
For the first time, a new BBC2 series following the quintessentially British competition is set to air this spring, featuring five of this year’s national finalists including Lytham.
