Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) reveals finalists in nationwide competition

Dibbers at the ready as RHS reveals 2018 Britain in Bloom finalists  

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) reveals finalists in nationwide competition that rewards environmental responsibility, community participation and horticultural achievement

Now in its 54th year, 76 community gardening groups will battle it out to be crowned the cleanest, greenest and most beautiful place in the UK

South West region set to field the highest number of entries in 2018

Planters poised and dibbers at the ready as 76 community gardening groups prepare to battle it out in the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) 2018 Britain in Bloom competition.

Now in its 54th year, the nationwide competition pits rural villages, urban corners and city centres against one another across a range of criteria that includes horticultural know-how, community engagement, efforts to bolster biodiversity and climate change adaptation.

Finalists are put forward to the national final based on their progress locally and will be scored by a team of RHS national judges in the summer.

In 2018 the finalists will compete across 12 categories with the South West laying claim to the greatest number of finalists. Seven will represent the region, including two – Sidmouth and Truro - in the illustrious Champion of Champions category.

Didsbury in Manchester, the market towns of Market Bosworth in Leicestershire and Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire and the Welsh town of Usk complete this year’s Champion of Champions line up. 

In 2017 the category was won by the Lancashire village of Elswick which impressed the judges with its high impact floral displays, heritage orchard and strong community support.
 

A new awards category has also been introduced for town and city centres in 2018 in recognition of the vital role of green spaces in urban areas and their positive impact on health and wellbeing, flood prevention and wildlife.  

Chair of the Britain in Bloom judging panel, Darren Share said: “The Britain in Bloom campaign galvanises communities and provides the driving force for thousands of gardening enthusiasts across the country.

“Britain in Bloom groups work tirelessly throughout the year to tackle local issues and improve the place they call home. Everyone benefits from the work these groups carry out and I have seen first-hand the positive impact Britain in Bloom has in bringing communities together.”  

Paul Hayhurst, Elswick in Bloom’s coordinator said: “We started entering Britain in Bloom to improve our village which two decades ago was uncared for and had problems with litter and vandalism. We never expected to win and everyone was absolutely over the moon. Since then, there’s been far more interest - neighbouring areas have been inspired to set up their own groups, we’ve been invited to give talks and we’ve had lots more visitors to Elswick. It’s been incredible.” 
 

The RHS Britain in Bloom judges will visit the finalists in August with the winners of each category and finalists’ final score – ranging from Gold to Bronze - announced at an awards ceremony in Belfast on 19th October.

For the first time, a new BBC Two series following the quintessentially British competition is set to air this spring, featuring five of this year’s national finalists – Immingham, Lytham, Shrewsbury, Tewkesbury and Usk.

For more information about RHS Britain in Bloom and to search for community gardening groups in your area please visit https://www.rhs.org.uk/communities/find-a-group-search-form

Britain in Bloom UK Finalists 2018 (by Region/Nation)

Anglia

Bury St Edmunds     Large Town

Hunstanton     Coastal under 12k

Norwich     City

Wisbech     BIDs, Town & City Centres

Woburn     Village

Cumbria

Bothel     Village

Dalston     Large Village

Penrith     Large Town

Stanwix     Urban Community

Ulverston     Town

Guernsey (Floral Guernsey)

Forest Parish     Large Village

East Midlands
Draycott     Large Village

Elmton     Village

Evington     Urban Community

Immingham     Town

Market Bosworth     Champion of Champions

Northampton     City

Heart of England
Halesowen     Urban Community

Newcastle-under-Lyme     Champion of Champions

Oswestry     Large Town

Shrewsbury     Small City

Tewkesbury     Town

Upton     Large Village

Jersey (Natural Jersey)

Gorey     Village

St. Clement     Coastal under 12k

St. Helier     Coastal over 12k

London

Bankside     Urban Community

City of London     Town

Ham & Petersham     Small Town

Paddington Now     BIDs, Town & City Centres

Northumbria

Durham     Small City

Morpeth     Town

Ponteland     Small Town

Tanfield     Village

North West

Chipping     Village

Congleton     Large Town

Didsbury     Champion of Champions

Lytham     Coastal under 12k

Rochdale     Small City

Whalley     Small Town

Scotland (Keep Scotland Beautiful)

Aberdeen     City

East Haven     Coastal under 12k

Falkirk Delivers     BIDs, Town & City Centres

Linlithgow     Town

Perth     Large Town

South and South East
Bournemouth     Coastal over 12k

Cranbrook     Small Town

Deal     Coastal over 12k

Royal Tunbridge Wells     Large Town

Wareham     Small Town

Wimborne     Town

South West

Clovelly     Village

Falmouth     Coastal over 12k

Kingsbridge     Small Town

Sidmouth     Champion of Champions

St Austell     BIDs, Town & City Centres

Thornbury     Town

Truro     Champion of Champions

Thames & Chilterns

Amersham     Town

Reading     City

Wolverton and Greenleys     Urban Community

Ulster

Ballymenal     Large Town

Belfast City     City

Castlecaulfield     Village

Derry City     Small City

Hillsborough     Large Village

Yorkshire

Beverley     Large Town

Filey     Coastal under 12k

Leeds     BIDs, Town & City Centres

Scholes     Large Village

Spofforth     Village

Wales

Colwyn Bay     Large Town

Fishguard & Goodwick     Coastal under 12k

Rhuddlan     Small Town

Usk     Champion of Champions

Wolfscastle     Village