Shropshire village gears up for Bloom judges
Residents in a village in Shropshire are putting the finishing touches to their preparations for a prestigious competition.
Villagers in Norton-in-Hales, near Market Drayton, are preparing to welcome judges as they go for gold in the forthcoming national Britain in Bloom competition.
The judging day has been set for August 1 when the Royal Horticultural Society judges will visit the village.
Villages are aiming to repeat their success of last year when they won a gold medal as overall winner in the village category in the Heart of England in Bloom competition.
Nigel Passmore(CORR), member of the Norton in Bloom group, said: "Judges will be welcomed by the bloom committee and will be given a presentation of the village's horticultural, environmental and community work over the past year.
"The judges will then be escorted around the village to view the results of these efforts.
"Norton-in-Hales has achieved much success in its bids for gold awards for both Britain in Bloom and Heart of England in Bloom competitions in recent history.
"This is a result of the hard work and dedication of the bloom group, and many other village volunteers involved, not only in horticulture, but also environmental and community projects."
Mr Passmore added: "The RHS set the theme this year of 'Growing for Gold' to celebrate 50 years of Britain in Bloom.
"To reflect this theme, Norton's flowerbeds, oak barrel planters, troughs and mangers are awash with a wide variety of stunning golden plants.
"The village is up against a number of competitors but hopes are high that they can pull off another big win this year when the judges reveal the results in September."
Ahead of last year's Heart of England in Bloom competition judges were given a rundown of the group's activities throughout the year and presented with an illustrated booklet recording these.
They were also taken on an escorted tour of the village where they were able to see some of the achievements for themselves and meet people who made them happen.
Bronze, silver, silver gilt and gold awards were presented during the competition and only the very best are allowed to go forward into this year's National Britain in Bloom contest.
