2009 community launch event
The campaign by Harrogate to take the Britain in Bloom coveted floral crown is underway following a community launch hosted by Harrogate in Bloom on Thursday, 5 March.
President of Harrogate in Bloom, Pam Grant, says that community involvement is even more important this year with a change in the judging criteria. She said: “We were delighted with the number of people who joined us at the launch event held at West Park United Reform Church. Over 60 attended and many of them have already committed to help. And that doesn’t just mean financial help.
"For a number of years, the judges have been looking at more than just the beautiful floral exhibits both public and private on display in our town. The judging criteria now very much focuses on local community involvement and business support, recycling and reusing as well as how we care for wildlife and natural habitats. Our event on the 5th was, therefore, a sort of ‘flora and fauna’ audit. A lot of people do work with the council and Harrogate in Bloom but there is also a lot of other work going on within communities and schools and we need to know about it. This will help identify opportunities for us to work together in our campaign."
So how exactly can you help? As well as showing the judges around the town in August, we have to prepare a portfolio, which tells them about all the relevant activities and projects that are going on in the community. Some will be included as part of the four-hour judging tour but we really need to make them aware of the huge diversity of projects being undertaken in the town.
So if your child’s school has a wildlife garden…let us know.
If your cub pack has been on a litter pick…let us know.
If your allotment group has a composting toilet (and, yes, there IS one of those in Harrogate already!). …let us know.
In fact if you are involved in - or know about - any local projects which could be used as examples of
horticultural achievement
environmental responsibility
community participation
please let us know about them. We would love to be able to include and acknowledge your work in this year’s Britain in Bloom portfolio.
Tel: Harriet Andrew 07771 598299 info@harrogateinbloom.org.uk
