Blooming beautiful Bath wins awards
Residents in Bath are celebrating after the city scooped two gold awards in the South West In Bloom competition. The Bath In Bloom Committee won gold for its small city entry and was also awarded the Tesco Cup for best in category. But it was double celebrations as the Bath Business Improvement District (Bath BID) also won gold and best in category in the Royal Horticultural Society’s annual awards. Claire Jackson, chair of the Bath in Bloom Committee, said: “We are thrilled with the results which are testament to the tremendous amount of hard work which went into our entry. “The judging route included St Andrew’s School, the community garden in Walcot Street and a City centre tour. “The judge was particularly impressed with our strong community involvement, including the WI bed in Victoria Park, St Stephen’s Church and the Millennium Green in Lansdown. “We were keen to support community groups in their efforts this year and were very pleased to have had this recognised.” The committee worked with Bath and North East Somerset Council’s parks department to furnish the city with the best floral displays. During this year’s exceptionally hot summer Bath BID Rangers took over the watering of the city centre’s on-street floral displays which ensured Bath remained blooming marvellous. Allison Herbert, chief executive of Bath BID, said; “I’m really pleased the work of Bath BID has been recognised with the Business Improvement District South West in Bloom Award for keeping the city clean, its watering and its planting schemes. “We chose to be innovative by adding herbs and vegetables to planters to celebrate the city’s ‘foodie scene’ and by selecting purple and white flowers to commemorate the suffragette movement.” Councillor Bob Goodman, cabinet member for development and neighbourhoods, said: “To win two gold awards and two best in category trophies is a fantastic achievement. “I must congratulate the In Bloom committee, members of the Bath Improvement District, businesses, community groups and the army of volunteers who worked tirelessly to maintain the city’s wonderful flower displays in testing conditions over the dry summer. “I’m incredibly proud of their achievements which were richly deserved.” The Bath in Bloom committee is grateful to this year’s sponsors, Rotork, Wessex Water, Bath Building Society, Cross Manufacturing, Bath Aqua Glass, Minuteman Press, the University of Bath Gardening Club and Eveleigh’s Café. If you are interested in getting involved or sponsoring next year’s In Bloom entry please contact the Bath In Bloom Committee on 01225 464228