RHS Heart of England in Bloom judges will visit Shrewsbury today when the town centre’s many floral aspects will be judged against exacting criteria.
Adjudicators will have the opportunity to meet owners of new and established independent retail and leisure businesses, representatives from national brands to discuss their involvement with local charities, events’ organisers and key representatives from the Residents Association, the University and the new Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery.
Following a two-hour walking tour around the town centre, the judges will be joined by members of the Shrewsbury business community for a lunch on the Sabrina Boat.
This year the entry has been made by Shrewsbury BID. After being crowned RHS Britain in Bloom Champion of Champions last year, Shrewsbury Town Council is taking a well-deserved break from the contest and instead has been guiding Shrewsbury BID with an entry in its own right.
The Town Council has still lived up to its horticultural standards, the Council has planted up and installed a blooming marvellous 372 baskets this year, a large proportion of which have been purchased by town centre shops and businesses as part of the Council’s commercial hanging basket scheme.
The BID campaign takes in the whole of the town centre and concentrates on three core areas; Horticultural Achievement, Environmental Responsibility and Community Participation.
Kirsten Henly, BID manager said: “We are looking forward to entering Shrewsbury into this national competition and showcase the town’s offer. Shrewsbury’s green spaces and floral features are managed by the Town Council and Shropshire Council and the recognition received for their work is brilliant.
“This year we have an opportunity to try to add to their horticultural successes and to involve the town’s business community to raise the Shrewsbury’s profile and highlight the contributions they also make throughout the year to make Shrewsbury a beautiful place to work in and visit.”
Bloom Chairman, Councillor Keith Roberts said: “Hanging baskets are a superb way to ensure the town centre looks blooming brilliant all summer long. It’s fantastic to see more businesses than ever before proudly displaying their floral features, especially with Shrewsbury BID entering the Bloom competition for the first time this year. Many thanks to all of our local shops and businesses for helping us to maintain our reputation as the Town of Flowers.”
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