Shrewsbury in Bloom is a non-profit organisation which brings together interested groups and individuals to discuss and implement a programme for Shrewsbury’s floral enhancement, environmental improvements and community projects.
It is the driving force behind Shrewsbury’s annual entry into the Heart of England in Bloom competition in which the town has repeatedly won Gold for its floral excellence.
The committee is made up of residents and representatives from local businesses, organisations, Shrewsbury Town Council and Shropshire Council. It is headed by Keith Roberts, Chairman of Shrewsbury in Bloom.
Officer support is provided by Shrewsbury Town Council in the form of administrative duties. The council’s ground maintenance team also carry out horticultural work on behalf of the Working Group.
Tuesday 23rd July we hosted the Heart of England Bloom Judges, Jen and Joe. The day started at the Depot at Weeping Cross with an introductory scene setting presentation given by Town Clerk, Helen Ball, followed by a tour of the Depot, Nursey and Tree Nursey, meeting staff and a representative from Condover College for our intern, Tommy.
From the Depot the judges then started the driving tour led by Stuart Farmer and Danny Powell (Acting Operations Managers) through Shrewsbury’s South sustainable urban extension – Oteley Road – and the most recent new housing development with public open space and the sustainable urban drainage system. They stopped by at the Lime Trees Care Home to see their environmentally sustainable building and their new planting areas.
The tour continued on to visit the Stanley Lane Recreation Ground where they met with Councillor Bernie Bentick and Meole Village Residents Association who have worked with the Town Council to improve the site. They also visited the Stanley Lane Allotments to see their new allotment initiatives and met the Meole Allotments Management Committee.
From Meole, the judges visited the Radbrook Recreation Ground where they met with Shrewsbury Town Council’s Mark Preece (Acting Recreation & Formal Space Manager) and Anthony Dear (Grounds Maintenance Operative) who demonstrated the Turf Tank White Lining Machine. They also met with Dean Langford, Chairman of SAHA, where the judges were shown the investment into drainage to develop a base for the SAHA Football Club.
The tour continued to Copthorne Park where the judges met with Friends of Copthorne Park and Shrewsbury Town Council’s Countryside Team led by Jim Goldsmith (Countryside & Greenspace Manager).
Next was a visit to Ravens Meadow and the McPhillips Compound to look at the plans for the new Station Gyratory.
Ending the driving tour at Shrewsbury Castle where they met with Steve Watkins and Andy Jenks (Grounds Maintenance Operatives) the resident gardeners at the Castle and designers of the D-Day 80th Anniversary Carpet Bed. The judges also met with Rob Woodbury, Senior Design Feasibility Manager who is overseeing the development of a Conservation Management Plan for the Castle.
From the Castle the judges started the walking part of the tour of Shrewsbury, starting with a visit to St Mary’s Church to see the Past, Present & Future Stain-Glassed window restoration project. Speaking to Andy McKeown (Lighting Specialist) and Max Ball (Drone Operator) about how they are using modern technology to capture the detail in the windows.
A short walk to St Alkmunds Church to meet with Glyn Williams (Amenity Space Assistant Team Leader) who looks after the Town Centre pocket parks and planters and the Shrewsbury Town Council’s Seasonal Waterers, Charlie Farmer and Ryan Jones who form part of a small team that water the many tubs and hanging baskets in the Town Centre.
The walking tour continued on to the Unitarian Church to visit the Food Hub and then on to the Square to see the Street Pastor’s Donkey. Steve Jones from the Street Pastors explained the role of the Street Pastors and showed them inside the Donkey. From the Square the judges hopped on to the Ecargo Rickshaws and headed off to the Quarry.
The Dingle team, led by Mark Bowen (Amenity Space Manager), met the judges as they arrived at the Dingle. The judges enjoyed a tour of the Dingle, stopping to look at the controversial piece of art in this year’s Art Trail and speaking with Amy from Shrewsbury Arts Trail about it. They also stopped at the Bug Hotel built by our supported intern, Jack.
The tour ended at Livesey House with a small reception with the Mayor, Councillor David Vasmer.
The tour for the judges was carefully considered, to ensure we followed the criteria required for entering the competition.
Following their visit the judges said on the Heart of England in Bloom Facebook, that they “were delighted to see the return of Shrewsbury Town Council in Bloom entry and the wonderful guided tour around the town did not disappoint!”.
It’s an anxious wait now until September when the results will be announced. Fingers crossed!