Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury strikes Britain in Bloom gold again as Oswestry wins silver

Colourful Shrewsbury has again won national honours in the Britain in Bloom awards.

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Councillor Keith Roberts the chair of Shrewsbury In Bloom with head gardener Mark Bowen

The town won gold in the small city category of the awards, announced at a ceremony in Belfast.

And Oswestry also left with honours after winning silver gilt in the large town category.

The towns were among 76 finalists battling it out in 12 categories.

Oswestry impressed the In Bloom judges again this year

Shrewsbury’s win comes in a year in which the town centre has been affected by road and pavement works. It is the third time it has won the national honour.

Flowers for the town’s displays are grown at its Weeping Cross depot

Gary Farmer of Shrewsbury Town Council said: “I think for the town it’s a great recognition that we pulled out all the stops, considering the weather conditions we’ve been up against.”

Representatives from the towns collected their awards from Chris Bavin, presenter of BBC Two’s Britain in Bloom TV series.

Six finalists were chosen to fly the flag for the region following success in the Heart of England in Bloom competition the previous year.

A total of 76 groups from across the UK competed in 12 categories with each also vying for a gold, silver gilt, silver or bronze medal.

Gary Farmer, Shrewsbury Town Council’s operations manager, said this was the third time the town had scooped a gold award nationally.

The Weeping Cross Depot in Shrewsbury where they grow flowers for the town and Quarry gardens

He said: “The town has always entered the In Bloom awards, since the 70s, and we’ve always done well in the regionals.

“But in the nationals we’re up against the best of the best in the UK.

“It’s not just about the flowers, it’s about recycling and management of certain areas and community teamwork like engagement with schools.”

Mr Farmer said the town faced a number of challenges this year, but still managed to win gold.

“I think for the town it’s a great recognition that we pulled out all the stops, considering the weather conditions we’ve been up against,” he added.

“The roadworks scheme also caused disruption so to still get a gold is great.”

Judges started their day in Shrewsbury with a visit to Salop Leisure, near Emstrey, before making their way through the town to the Quarry.

From the displays outside the castle to thousands of blooms in the award-winning Dingle and hundreds of planters, troughs and hanging baskets, everything had to be just right.

Remarkable

All battled what judges have declared the toughest year on record with communities nationwide fighting to keep blooms alive.

Darren Share, chairman of the RHS Britain in Bloom judges, said: “This year’s finalists faced the most challenging conditions the competition has ever seen with much of the country under snow and ice at the start of spring followed by the joint-hottest summer on record.

“That so many groups have walked away with top medals is remarkable and a reflection of communities’ hard work, ingenuity and horticultural know-how.”

The Heart of England finalists collected their awards from Chris Bavin, presenter of BBC Two’s Britain in Bloom TV series and guest speaker at the awards ceremony in Belfast.

Shrewsbury was in competition against Rochdale, Derry City and Durham.

Shrewsbury took the small city title in 2016 and were named Champion of Champions in 2014.

Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Ludlow all took home the top accolade at the regional Heart of England in Bloom awards last month after the towns impressed judges in a string of visits over the summer.

And Newport and Norton in Hales not only received gold awards but took home the overall titles in the town and village categories respectively.

They were deemed to be of such high calibre in the gardening stakes that they have now been put forward for next year’s Britain in Bloom contest.