Shrewsbury underlined its reputation as a town of flowers with remarkable victories for the UK in two prestigious international floral community competitions this weekend. Even more remarkable were the circumstances under which the accolades were achieved.
At Harrogate on Friday night, Shrewsbury was awarded Gold in the European Entente Florale Competition. The following evening in New Brunswick, Canada, Shrewsbury was announced the winner of the International Challenge in the Communities in Bloom Competition.
During one tense week in July, Shrewsbury entertained judges for both competitions whilst fending off unseasonal floods. In a week marred by rain, both judging days saw glorious sunshine much to the relief of the Shrewsbury in Bloom Committee. The town faced stiff competition from communities across Europe, Canada and the USA.
Shrewsbury & Atcham B.C. Portfolio Holder Cllr Judith Williams commented:
“There is a tremendous amount of work that goes on behind the scenes in the months leading up to judging. As the floodwaters began to rise and the rains fell, we wondered if our efforts had been in vain. But miraculously, on both judging days the sun shone and the flood barriers did their job. I’m overjoyed that we’ve achieved this victory not just for our residents but for the whole country.”
In summing up, judges in the Entente Florale Competition commented that:
“It was clear that along with the Local Authority, many in the Community were involved, and an excellent tour showed the many features to their best effect even though the risk of flooding had been very real the previous day.”
Chairman of the Shrewsbury in Bloom Committee, Stan Sedman said:
"To be nominated to represent Great Britain at this level of competition is in itself a great achievement and honour. To succeed and receive the highest possible level of the awards is fantastic and reflects the high standard that Shrewsbury has attained as a result of hard work and co-operation across the whole Community. So many people, organisations and businesses have worked alongside the Borough Council to produce these results and we can all be justifiably proud of what we have achieved in two extremely prestigious competitions. "
Shrewsbury’s success in last year’s Britain in Bloom led to the invitation to compete in Communities in Bloom. The competition was founded in Canada and has now spread across the USA and in to Europe.
Derek Caddy, Public Amenities Manager for Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council was in Canada for the ceremony:
“I am delighted with the result. Competitions like this are about so much more than hanging baskets. Judges look for community involvement and quality of life. As a local authority we take pride in doing what we can to improve the environment and engage with the wider community. These awards are a credit to our hard-working staff and the many volunteers in the Borough.”
Chief Executive of SABC Robin Hooper added:
“This is a great achievement when at the time of the judging we were fighting the floods, we had months of rain and little sun. The people of Shrewsbury and Atcham can rightly feel proud of this amazing and rightly deserved achievement led by so few participated in and supported by so many. Shrewsbury is firmly on the European map and I hope that this achievement for the country will be appropriately recognised of what communities working together against the odds can do.”
NOTES FOR THE EDITOR
Full Quote from Entente Florale Judges on awarding Shrewsbury ‘Gold’:
"Shrewsbury is the capital town of the County of Shropshire in England. A town full of history from its many Tudor buildings to its castle and Norman Abbey. The jury was impressed to see how the conservation of the town's history was being complimented by a high level of landscape, environmental and horticultural provision. It was clear that along with the Local Authority, many in the Community were involved, and an excellent tour showed the many features to their best effect even though the risk of flooding had been very real the previous day. The provision of green networks throughout the town and balanced floral displays in the town centre brilliantly finished with the horticultural finale in the Dingle and at St Chad's Church, which were outstanding. The Jury awards a Gold Medal."
A to Z
