Get growing to help Bath go for gold
Flower-lovers in Bath are appealing for help from residents and business owners to make the city bloom again in 2022.
Bath has been chosen to represent the South West in this year’s RHS Britain in Bloom national finals in the small city category, as a result of winning gold in last year’s South West in Bloom competition.
It means Bath will be judged twice this year – the RHS finals will be judged late July or early August and the South West competition judged in early July.
Bath in Bloom honorary president Barry Cruse MBE said: “I would ask businesses, schools and indeed anyone with a garden or allotment they are proud of to enter the local Bath in Bloom competition.
“It would help our entry to show the judges the support we get from Bath’s amazing gardeners – also I would urge any volunteer groups engaged in gardening-related schemes to consider entering the RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood scheme.”
Bath was the first winner of the RHS Britain in Bloom competition in 1964 and has won it 14 times since. The city won gold in the 2015 “champion of champions” national competition, then in 2020, it reached the national finals, which were cancelled due to the pandemic.
Over the years the judging criteria have changed to take account of economic conditions and the need for volunteer groups to step in and help cash-strapped local authorities.
This year, with climate change at the top of everyone’s agenda, the criteria has changed again with the emphasis on pollinator-friendly planting, biodiversity and saving water as well as more community participation.
Bath in Bloom committee chairman Steve Brook said: “We rely on Bath’s many volunteer community groups and individuals to help us with our entry. As well as schools, parks departments and local businesses, we also rely on sponsorship.”
Groups, individuals or businesses that like to help or sponsor Bath in Bloom contact email bathinbloom@gmail.com or visit www.bathinbloom.org