Shropshire Star

Oswestry blooms for judges

Oswestry provided the wow factor for Britain in Bloom judges touring the town.

Published
Chairman of Oswestry in Bloom committee Betty Gull, headmaster Julian Noad, and Vice chairman of Heart of England in Bloom, Mark Wiltshire, at Oswestry School, Oswestry..

From the ancient hillfort to the town's Cae Glas park the three Heart of England judges, said they had been really impressed by not only the floral beauty but the community spirit.

They began their visit at the British Ironwork Centre, ending at Oswestry School, where they were given a surprise trip in a helicopter for a aerial view of the town, courtesy of the local, Ridgway Rentals company.

Lesley Pritchard, one of the judges said: "A highlight for me was flying over the hillfort - I had no idea Oswestry had a hillfort. I was still saying wow when I got out of the helicopter. Oswestry is a gem, there is so much going on and it has a real community."

Mark Wiltshire, vice-chairman of the Heart of England in Bloom said: "Not much makes me go wow but walking into Cae Glas Park I certainly did.

"The park has improved so much this year, it was a real pleasure to see it."

"It is not very often that we are taken to see a car park on our tours but Oswestry Central car park with its floral plants and hanging baskets, the M&S living wall and Chapel court is a delight."

Oswestry in-bloom committee members also took the judges to the cemetery, to Henley Woods, where residents look after the area and have even installed a fairy grotto and The Meadows Primary School.