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Bleadon In Bloom

South West in Bloom is one of eighteen regional competitions that make up Britain in Bloom, the biggest horticultural campaign in Europe. The aim of the communities that take part each year is to improve and regenerate our local environments, 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.

Bleadon started getting involved with the South West in Bloom organisation in 2019. Our first entry into the competition was the Pennant Class which is aimed at new groups who want to progress onto the main competition.  We had immediate success earning a Silver Gilt Award. We also won the “John Wheatley” award for the best Blue Campaign due to our Blue Hearts and Nature Trails with Lympsham and Westhaven Schools.  

The competition was suspended for 2020 due to Coronavirus, but we still came together to plant up the tubs and brighten up the village.

Our first entry into the main competition was in 2021. A lot of effort went into our projects around the village, bringing together a large group of people – who we’ve christened the Bloomers. Everyone’s contribution made a difference; the list is lengthy but includes growing plants, planting up tubs and hanging baskets, sowing wildflower seeds, planting bulbs and trees, weeding, pruning bushes, watering, litter picking, painting barrels & noticeboards, building new planters, installing new barrels & benches.

Our fantastic efforts were recognised by the judges who awarded us a Silver Gilt award. Well done the Bloomers!

We were also awarded five ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ awards for Bleadon Mill, Roman road, the churchyard, the Bleadon Farm Shop and Thatchers orchard. The Queens Arms fabulous display and hard work to improve the pub won them a Gold award in the business category.

Building on our success, our main project in 2022 is a community garden at the allotments. We already have a new Polytunnel to allow us to grow more of our own plants. We’re making this a social place where people can meet up and help out with the plants as much or little as they are able. We have small plots available for anyone who wants to grow a few flowers, fruit or veg but doesn’t want the commitment of a whole allotment. 

Come on down to the allotment to see what we’re up to. If you can spare some time to help with any of the Bloomers jobs, please let us know.

Contact Kirsten Hemingway writer@kirstenhemingway.co.uk or Robin Flavell robinflavell@yahoo.com. Follow us on Facebook.

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