A brilliant year for Britain in Bloom
The most exciting date in the Britain in Bloom calendar is fast approaching. At the awards ceremony in Belfast on October 19th at the Waterfront Belfast, the winners will be announced in all 12 categories including the ultimate prize – Champion of Champions. Every group that made it into the final has already demonstrated exemplary standards in the judging criteria of horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility. At Amberol we wish all the finalists the very best of luck on the night.
Here are a few highlights:
Northern Ireland in Bloom
As well as welcoming 500 guests to the Britain in Bloom awards ceremony on Friday October 19th at the fantastic Belfast Waterfront venue, Belfast is a finalist in 2018 Britain in Bloom in the large city category. Belfast faces tough competition from Northampton, Norwich and Reading in the (large city) category. However, win or lose the Belfast in Bloom team should feel incredibly proud of their work reinstating Belfast as a city of flowers. The Belfast City Council-led team scoured the city for neglected window boxes and gardens to fill with colourful plants as well as embarking on regeneration projects and a new category of ‘best kept school garden.’ Derry City is another Northern Irish name to watch at this year’s finals, with an opportunity to win in the small city category. Derry’s success so far has also relied on input from the local council who took on a huge street and park cleaning project to improve the appearance of the town.
Champion of Champions
Every year, Amberol is proud to supply our self-watering hanging baskets and planters to a diverse range of Britain in Bloom groups across the UK, so we were delighted when we learned that four of the towns and villages we work in partnership with are competing in the prestigious Champion of Champions category at this year’s awards. Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Sidmouth, Truro and Usk will compete alongside Didsbury and Market Bosworth for the ultimate prize. All these areas have shown outstanding creativity, commitment and community spirit not just in transforming their towns with stunning floral displays but in engaging local people to get involved in making their towns better places to live and work.
Bringing colour to the city
Aberdeen may be known as the ‘granite city’ but its grey edges have been well and truly enhanced with the efforts of its Beautiful Scotland group who worked tirelessly to bring colour to the famously grey city and make it to the 2018 finals in the Large City category. No visitor to Aberdeen should miss the jewel in the city’s floral crown – Cathedral Walk in Seaton Park. Much further south, Norwich is also looking forward to competing against Aberdeen, Belfast and Northampton on October 19th fresh from rebranding from Norwich in Bloom to Blooms for Norwich. The town’s commitment to providing the best that Britain in Bloom has to offer is encapsulated by the city’s oldest pub, The Adam & Eve, which in high summer is hard to spot through the impressive display of planters and hanging baskets which adorn its exterior.
Supporting Britain in Bloom groups
This summer’s heatwave proved an extra challenge for Britain in Bloom groups across the UK. Amberol’s unique Aquafeed™ system, which helps volunteer groups by reducing the need to water plants. To find out more about our varied and versatile range of self-watering planters and hanging baskets, please email sales@amberol.co.ulk or call us on 01773 830930.
