Oswestry named best British large town in national In Bloom competition
Oswestry has been named the best blooming large town in Britain.
It won gold and category winner in the annual Royal Horticultural Society Best of Britain In Bloom awards announced in London on Monday.
The overall winner was Newcastle-under-Lyme across the Shropshire/Staffordshire border.
Judges visited Oswestry in August and were given a whistlestop tour. As well as looking at the floral displays they met members of various organisations, all working for the benefit of the town.
The judges said what impressed them was the involvement of so many young people. In recent years the focus of In Bloom has shifted from mainly horticultural to mainly community, and In-Bloom organisers said that was something Oswestry did well.
Natalie Bainbridge, chair of the Oswestry In Bloom volunteer committee, said “It was beyond our wildest dreams to win. The award recognises all the hard work, dedication, and cooperation of so many people.
"From individual hanging baskets to big community projects, everything is part of Oswestry In Bloom. It is Oswestry as a town that has won, and we need to build on this success to continue to grow, involving more people”.
Natalie added: “Oswestry In Bloom is now an established tradition in the town, and this year saw it win Gold, for the 16th year running, and Best Large Town, for the second year running, in the Heart of England In Bloom competition.
"Britain In Bloom rules say we now can’t go through to the national final for another two years, but we’ll be ready."
Kay Clark, RHS community development manager, said: “Across the UK, groups are enjoying the benefits gardening brings both to their local communities and their own wellbeing. These groups are also trailblazers, trialling innovative ways to tackle environmental issues and engage their wider communities in the most pressing challenges.”
Oswestry in Bloom also received a Certificate of Achievement for Children and Young People’s Participation. This is a priority for the In-Bloom group, with various projects including the planting of 1,500 sunflowers taking place this year.
Natalie added: "The more people who are involved, the better the results, Oswestry In Bloom is looking for more volunteers and participants, so have a look at our website to see how you can join." Visit oswestryinnloom/wordpress.com
