Pebworth in Bloom group to Compete in 2017 RHS Britain in Bloom Awards

Pebworth in Bloom will be representing the Heart of England region in the UK-wide competition and will join 78 other Britain in Bloom finalists competing to be crowned one of the cleanest, greenest and most beautiful places in the UK.

Pebworth in Bloom was chosen for its commitment to environmental responsibility, high levels of community participation and outstanding gardening achievements. Between them, a huge army of volunteers, including litter leads and mowing teams, have already planted over 6,000 bulbs and filled village entrance troughs and street containers with seasonal plants. Disease resistant elm tree saplings have been re-introduced to Pebworth where once there were 100s of the “Warwickshire Weed” with Pebworth School pupils monitoring and recording the saplings’ growth.

Several “grot spots” have been transformed, the latest next to the school, where years of overgrown foliage and rubbish has been cleared, a seating area established and the whole area filled with insect-friendly plants. The village is now awaiting the delivery to this site, of a refurbished telephone box which will house a defibrillator. Volunteers have also cleared and replanted St Peter’s churchyard, with medicinal herb beds, have established a golden garden seating area with insect friendly plants and erected bat and owl boxes. The churchyard will be an entrant in Worcs Best Kept Churchyard competition this year.

In August Pebworth in Bloom members will lead the RHS Britain in Bloom judges on a tour of the village as they bid to win a top award. The winners will be announced at the Britain in Bloom awards ceremony in Llandudno , North Wales in October.

Yvonne Rose, chair of Pebworth in Bloom said “ we are absolutely thrilled to be a UK finalist for the first time. Since we entered the village in the campaign 6 years ago we have gradually improved our marks through the hard work and enthusiasm of our many volunteers and supporters and with the help of our generous sponsors. We have already started planning for the year with events such as a footpath walk for young families and children, a scarecrow competition at the Open Gardens weekend at the end of May and the village produce show in September and will be renovating street furniture , erecting more bird boxes and holding a hanging basket competition so that the village will be looking its very best for the judges”.

Andrea Van Sittart, RHS Head of Community Outreach said “Congratulations to Pebworth in Bloom on reaching the UK finals of this year’s RHS Britain in Bloom campaign. To represent their region on the UK stage is an incredible achievement and shows they are already at the top level of community gardening, going the extra mile to improve their local area and make it cleaner, greener and more beautiful for everyone”

For more information please contact Yvonne Rose 01789 720296 ken.w.wood@btinternet .com

JENNY MCLEISH