Judges from South West in Bloom visited Peasedown St John on Tuesday morning to see for themselves what the village has to offer in this year’s regional competition.
South West in Bloom, part of the national Britain in Bloom initiative, is held every year to showcase and recognise some of the best looking gardens and landscaped community green spaces across the region.
This year is the first time Peasedown St John has been entered into the competition.
The village’s Bath and North East Somerset Councillors, Karen Walker and Sarah Bevan (Independent) have coordinated the village’s entry.
Cllr Karen Walker said: “It’s been six months of hard work and preparation, but hopefully it’s all paid off. We’re grateful to everyone in the community who’ve gone out of their way to make sure the village is looking clean, tidy and presentable.
“We’re particularly grateful to the Residents Association, Nathan Hartley, Parish Council, Lions Club, and Curo for the work they’ve put into Peasedown in Bloom 2017.”
South West in Bloom is one of eighteen regional competitions that make up Britain in Bloom. The aim of the community groups and businesses that take part is to improve and regenerate our local environments and neighbourhoods.
This can be through the imaginative planting of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscaping, conservation and recycling projects, and to sweep away the eyesores that blight our streets, such as litter, graffiti and vandalism.
Karen and Sarah worked with residents, community groups and local businesses to prepare 12 local sites for viewing. They were:
- Nathan Wood
- Peasedown Cricket and Croquet Clubs
- Circle Hospital
- Ecewiche Green
- Orchard Way, World War I Orchard
- Beacon Field
- Dunkerton Hill roundabout
- The Prince of Wales Inn
- Ashgrove Cemetery
- Eckweek Gardens, World War I Dwarf Magnolias
- Wellow Lane Henge
- The Green
Cllr Sarah Bevan said: “In Bloom allows us to be as creative as we like. As well as the traditional side of the competition such as well-kept gardens and colourful flower beds, we also demonstrated our success with community clean-ups, fixing broken fencing, and repairing and refurbishing dirty and broken street signs.
“The judges were extremely impressed with what they saw during their two hour tour of the community. They said they’d seen some ‘superb scenes’ and were overwhelmed with the enthusiasm of local volunteers.”
On Tuesday, judges met with the district councillors, business leaders, members of the Residents’ Association, the local Lions Club, Party in the Park representatives, plus Parish Councillors and staff
Peasedown In Bloom has been sponsored by Peasedown Party in the Park through the 2017 Grant Fund.
Karen, Sarah and the rest of the community will have to wait until 5th October at a special award ceremony in Torquay, Devon to find out if they have won an award.
South West in Bloom is part of Britain in Bloom, which is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, and is focused on three core pillars:
- Horticultural Achievement
- Environmental Responsibility
- Community Participation
Peasedown St John has been entered in the Village Pennant Category.