Victorious Hillsborough a ‘delight’ to In-Bloom judges

Hillsborough has been named Gold medal and Large Village Category winner in 50th Britain in Bloom UK Final awards.
Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Andrew Ewing (fourth left) and Councillor Jenny Palmer (third right) pictured in Hillsborough with Hillsborough In Bloom members and Britain In Bloom judges.Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Andrew Ewing (fourth left) and Councillor Jenny Palmer (third right) pictured in Hillsborough with Hillsborough In Bloom members and Britain In Bloom judges.
Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Andrew Ewing (fourth left) and Councillor Jenny Palmer (third right) pictured in Hillsborough with Hillsborough In Bloom members and Britain In Bloom judges.

Of the more than 3,900 Bloom groups throughout the UK just 71 finalists were chosen to represent their region or nation in the UK Finals of Europe’s biggest community gardening campaign, now run by the Royal Horticultural Society.

In July / August, the RHS Britain in Bloom judging panel, led by Roger Burnett, toured the UK, meeting community representatives of each finalist and visiting local projects, assessing against three key criteria: horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility.

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Of Hillsborough in Bloom’s efforts, the RHS Judges said: “The drive into Hillsborough was just amazing: the gateway into the village was a ‘Shop Window’ with high-impact floral displays that just invited you to continue into the shop.

“The whole experience was one of delight and the contrast between the planting and variation in colour and texture was excellent.

“The enthusiasm right across the community from the volunteers to the tremendous support from their local council was clear to see.

“Hillsborough was a pleasure to judge and the support by so many people was a delight.’

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The Britain in Bloom awards celebrate the work of volunteers across the UK, of whom there are up to 300,000, and to recognise achievement, innovation and commitment to keeping villages, towns and cities clean, green and thriving.

Bloom volunteers collectively invest nearly 11 million hours every year into local Bloom activities, which equates to almost £70 million at the National Minimum Wage.

It is hoped that the transformation of community spaces championed at the RHS Britain in Bloom awards ceremony will encourage even more people to get involved and help continue to make a positive difference over the next 50 years. RHS Ambassador Adam Frost hosted the annual ceremony.

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