In 1989, Spelthorne Council encouraged the establishment of a community-based Spelthorne in Bloom Campaign to be co-ordinated by a volunteer committee and since its formation has helped to brighten up the Borough for both residents and visitors alike. Spelthorne in Bloom gives everyone a chance to involve themselves in local competition, and at the same time help improve the environment. South and South East in Bloom and the Britain in Bloom competitions.

The Britain in Bloom Competition is a nationwide campaign organised by the Tidy Britain Group in conjunction with RHS. The aim is to encourage people to make their cities, town and villages as attractive as possible by the imaginative and decorative use of flowers. The competition not only encourages the preservation and enhancement of pleasant natural features, but also the screening and "greening" of commercial/industrial areas.

Spelthorne in Bloom has enjoyed consistent success in the South and South East in Bloom Competition during the last ten years.and in 1996 Stanwell won the Britain in Bloom 'Urban Community' Competition.

How you can help

1. Support Spelthorne in Bloom within your local community.
2. Encourage your members to participate in the various local competitions.
3. Why not assist in litter picking campaigns, tidy up a waste area near you, help on local environmental care projects?
4. Why not sponsor a floral display?
5. Why not make an extra special effort on your own home site?

Commercial organisations

Why not provide hanging baskets or window boxes outside your premises?

You can sponsor community displays outside or near your workplace.

There are special competitions for shops, factories, offices, pubs and garage forecourts - why not try something new and exciting and enter!

Schools

• encourage children to take an interest in their local environment
• involve your school in tree and bulb planting, environmental care, keeping school grounds litter free
• enter the local Spelthorne in Bloom Competition for the best contribution made by a school or school pupils can grow their own!
• encourage children to enter their poster ideas in the annual "in bloom" competition each Spring.

Private front gardens and property

Make a very special effort to present your garden, balcony or basket displays to their very best.

Enter the competition.

Prizes will be awarded for the best front garden, the best frontage or balcony display, the best hanging basket, also each year's best new entrant.and.best riverside garden.

Committee

The Committee needs the backing and support of the whole community including Chambers of Commerce, Women's Institutes, Horticultural Societies, schools, voluntary organisations, residents' groups, youth clubs, uniformed groups, churches and individuals.

Through collective and individual participation, let us show that Spelthorne can really become a 'Borough in Bloom'.

Categories

The Annual Competition is run by the Spelthorne In Bloom Committee, and is free and open to all residents, businesses, schools, churches and licensed premises within the Spelthorne Borough boundary.

The 10 different categories to choose from are as follows:-

• best new entrant - Sponsored by Surrey Waste Management
• best kept front garden - Sponsored by Notcutts Garden Centre
• best kept public building - Sponsored by Notcutts Garden Centre
• best contribution made by a school - Sponsored by the Ian Allan Group
• best kept public house display - Sponsored by the Surrey Herald newspaper
• best hanging basket(non commercial) - Sponsored by Notcutts Garden Centre
• best war memorial - Sponsored by Burma Star Association
• best schools grow your own - Sponsored by Squires Garden Centre
• best riverside garden - Sponsored by Squires Garden Centre
• best kept community garden

Criteria

Judging normally takes place from early July through August and the judges will be awarding marks under the following three main headings:-

• the impact of colour and use of colour combinations;
• the standard of cultivation and cleanliness;
• the overall impression of the garden, shop etc.

In addition, the judges will be looking at the following constituents that could make up an entry, although it is appreciated that no every entry will include all of these. For the front garden competition, however, the judges would expect to find at least four of the following:-

• shrubs, tree, climbers and roses - the judges will be looking for healthy plants, well pruned or trained.
• lawns, which are well cut, trimmed, and free of weed.
• containers, pots, window boxes and hanging baskets containing shrubs or seasonal flowers.
• walls, hedges, paths and fences should be in good condition, well clipped or painted.
• the quality of annuals and perennials.
• special features, such as statues, rock garden, or fountains.
• floral displays

You can also help to brighten up your local environment with a beautiful floral display, filled with colourful plants.

Spelthorne in Bloom will provide displays throughout town and village centres, and maintain them all summer.

Why not sponsor a hanging basket from only £52 for a half basket or a full basket for £104. Sponsorship Forms are available at the Council Offices or by calling 01784 446312

Wall mounted display units, barrier baskets and window boxes are also available for business and shop frontages for £75.

For any additional information on Spelthorne in Bloom including the Children's Poster Competition, Sponsorship or if you wish to enter the Annual Borough Competition please call:- Katy Braggins on 01784 446312