In 1989, the Borough of Spelthorne encouraged the establishment of a community-based Spelthorne in Bloom Campaign to be co-ordinated by a volunteer committee.
Spelthorne in Bloom, 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
Support Spelthorne in Bloom within your local community.
Encourage your members to participate in the various local competitions.
Why not assist in litter picking campaigns, tidy up a waste area near you, help on local environmental care projects?
Why not sponsor a floral display?
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 February.
Private front gardens and Property
Make a very special effort to present your garden, balcony or basket displays to their very best.
Enter the Spelthorne in Bloom 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.
The Spelthorne in Bloom 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'.
Different SPELTHORNE 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 ten different categories to choose from are as follows:-
Best new entrant
Best kept front garden - Sponsored by Notcutts Garden Centre
Best kept building - Sponsored by Notcutts Garden Centre
Best contribution made by a school - Sponsored by the Ian Allan Group
Best kept small.public house display - Sponsored by the Surrey Herald newspaper
Best kept large.public house display - Sponsored by the Surrey Herald newspaper
Best frontage or balcony display - Sponsored by Spelthorne/Melun Twinnin
Best hanging basket(non commercial) - Sponsored by Notcutts Garden Centre
Best war memorial - Sponsored by Burma Star Association
Best schools grow your own
Best riverside garden - Sponsored by Squires Garden Centre
Spelthorne in Bloom Winners 2008
Best New Entrant:- - 1st Place - Knowle Park School, 2nd Place - Jan Reading, 3rd Place - Jean Stokes
Best kept front garden:- 1st Place - Robert Morbidelli, 2nd Place - Jean Stokes, 3rd Place - Donald Warren
Best Contribution made by a school:- 1st Place - Littleton C of E School, 2nd Place - Springfield Primary School, 3rd Place - Knowle Park School
Best schools grow your own:- 1st Place:- Echelford Primary School, 2nd Place - Clarendon Primary School, 3rs Place - Shortwood Infant School
Best Kept Small Public House:- 1st Place - The Harrow (Charlton Village), 2nd Place - The Flower Pot (Sunbury), 3rd Place - The Turks Head (Laleham)
Best Kept Large Public House:- 1st Place - The Old Re lion (Staines), 2nd Place - The Three Horseshoes (Laleham), 3rd Place - The Hare and Hounds (Sunbury)
Best Frontage/Balcony Display:- 1st Place - Ken Ballard, 2nd Place - Sue & Mike Pratt, 3rd Place - Donald Warren
Best Hanging Basket:- 1st Place - Donald Warren, 2nd Place - Sue & Mike Pratt, 3rd Place - Mr Kirk
Best Kept War Memorial:- 1st Place - Stanwell War Memorial, 2nd Place - Littleton War Memorial, 3rd Place - Ashford War Memorial
Best Riverside Garden:- 1st Place - Kath Harris, 2nd Place - Stewart Smith, 3rd Place - Roger Mairis
Best Kept Building:- 1st Place - Chaucer Ward - Ashford Hospital, 2nd Place - Wordsworth Ward - Ashford Hospital, 3rd Place - Arnold Ward - Ashford Hospital
Best In Show for 2008 was awarded to Mr & Mrs Morbidelli
Spelthorne in Bloom 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 £40.00 for a half basket or a full basket for £80.00. 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 £64.00
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:- Natalie Gaskin on 01784 446312
