Britain in Bloom Competition
The Britain in Bloom Competition
The Britain in Bloom competition is organised and run by the Royal Horticultural Society. The aim of the competition is to encourage communities of all sizes to make positive and lasting improvements to their local areas for the benefit of local people.
The first stage of judging is the regional competition. Judging of the first stage takes place in June/July with winners announced at local presentations between August and November.
On completion of the first stage of judging, entries are then selected by the Committee that represents their area for the second stage, which is UK-wide judging. This second stage of judging takes place in the August of the year after selection. For example, entries selected in 2007 will be judged in 2008. Winners of the UK judging are announced in September/October.
Britain in Bloom has 10 entry categories, based on the population of each entry. Tameside is entered in the City category.
The entries are judged by two judges who undertake a "tour" of the area entered. The tour follows a route set by the entrant organisation and the judges are escorted by up to four people, who point out the elements of the route and inform the judges of the works and projects that have taken place. The route is chosen as a representation of the area and the tour must be completed in no more than four hours. The route must provide examples of work and projects that meet all the categories in which points are awarded. The success of the entry into the competition rests entirely on the success of the judging tour.
A huge amount of effort is made to condense all the work done throughout the borough during the year into the four hours allotted to the judges. However, if the judges see any items such as graffiti or litter on their way to and from the start of the judging tour they will also take points away from the score of the entry.
Tameside in Bloom also produce a Portfolio document and a DVD to showcase the work undertaken throughout the year in support of their application, although no points are awarded for either of these items. We feel that these items are particularly important as it gives us a chance to show the judges that our work is borough wide, and not just focused on the specific judging route.
How the Points are Awarded
The judges award points based on 5 categories.
Floral Displays30% of maximum marks |
The judges expect to be shown floral display projects undertaken at public parks and town gardens, war memorials, recreational areas, public buildings and displays associated with roads, including roundabouts. The judges look for quality and innovation in the projects. They will expect to see projects involving business and commercial premises including shops, retail centres and bus and train stations. The judges will also be awarding points based on the efforts made with residential front gardens and community involvement, particularly the involvement of young people. |
Permanent Landscaping30% of maximum marks |
The judges expect to be shown permanent planting projects in residential areas, commercial premises, industrial estates and business and retail parks. The judges expect to see permanent planting projects undertaken at public parks and town gardens, war memorials, recreational areas, public buildings, recycling sites, car parks and roundabouts. The judges look for quality and innovation in the projects. The judges will award points for community involvement, including planting by voluntary organisations, especially where young people are involved. |
Local Agenda 21 and Sustainable Development15% of maximum points |
The judges expect to see management of natural areas as appropriate to the local environment, including nature conservation projects, monitoring, education and work programmes. They will also expect to see other nature projects – designated areas created to encourage wild flowers and wildlife and wildlife interpretation / signage as appropriate. The judges expect to see evidence of waste management and recycling, including community involvement to encourage recycling to save natural resources. The judges will expect to see evidence of composting, mulching, water conservation and minimisation of peat / pesticide/ herbicide usage. |
Local Environmental Quality15% of maximum points |
The judges will assess the cleanliness of the city / town centre and other high profile public areas; residential areas; functional areas such as parks and gardens, bus and rail stations and children's play areas. The judges will expect to see treatment of areas in hard landscaped areas and will assess the condition of street furniture, litter/dog bins and the management of gap sites. “Gap sites" refers to sites such as derelict buildings and sites awaiting development. The judges will award points for community involvement including campaigns and community projects to encourage improved cleanliness. |
Public Awareness10% of maximum points |
The judges will assess marketing, publicity and promotion of Britain in Bloom including the methods of communication of information and media coverage. The judges will award points for organisation and innovation in attracting sponsorship, fundraising and other support “In kind" benefits. |