Boot camp rallies the troops for Britain in Bloom contest
THE WEATHER may still be very chilly but across Yorkshire thoughts are already turning to spring and summer as communities across Yorkshire prepare to take part in the annual RHS Britain in Bloom competition.
Of the 76 places in the running across the country in different categories, five are in Yorkshire; Leeds, Beverley, Filey, Spofforth in North Yorkshire and Scholes near Leeds.
Those dreaming up ideas to catch the eyes of the judges may be inspired by the incredible project which has been run in Dishforth in North Yorkshire and involving soldiers from the 6 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps who are based in the area.
Their scheme, part of the wider It’s Your Neighbourhood initiative which is linked to the Britain in Bloom campaign, saw old Army boots planted up and decorated by local school pupils to brighten up their communities.
Gavin Hardy, community outreach advisor for the Royal Horticultural Society, helped organise the Dishforth project.
“The regiment approached us and said they wanted to do some community work.
“We said we are going to look at sustainability and environment, so what can you recycle? They had loads of boots that normally get sent to landfill.”
He said several schools had taken part in a ‘boot camp’ and the project grew to the extent that around 450 boots were decorated and ended up going on display at the Harlow Carr Flower Show near Harrogate.
Hardy says those participating in this year’s Britain in Bloom can learn from the Dishforth scheme.
“Every area is different and you have to figure out what works well for you and expand on it. Dishforth had a mountain of old boots and made the most of it – it doesn’t have to be complicated.
“It is also about what is achievable. It can be so easy to think too big at the start of it.”
Now in its 54th year, Britain in Bloom 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 finals based on their progress locally and will be scored by a team of RHS judges this summer.
Competing across 12 overall categories, the South West lays claim to the greatest number of entries. Seven will represent the region, including two – Sidmouth and Truro – in the illustrious Champion of Champions category. The other Champion of Champions contenders are Didsbury in Manchester, Market Bosworth in Leicestershire, Newcastle under Lyme in Staffordshire and the Welsh town of Usk. In 2017 the category was won by the Lancashire village of Elswick which impressed the judges with its high impact floral displays, heritage orchard and strong community support.
A new awards category has also been introduced for town and city centres this year in recognition of the vital role of green spaces in urban areas and their positive impact on health and wellbeing, flood prevention and wildlife.
Darren Share, chair of the Britain in Bloom judging panel, says: “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 had in bringing communities together.”