Shrewsbury launches Britain in Bloom campaign

Shrewsbury achieved a Gold Award and Category Winner title in the Heart of England in Bloom Awards in 2012 and was nominated to represent the West Midlands in the national Britain in Bloom Finals for 2013.

The theme for the town’s entry will be Incredible Edibles.

The launch event, which is being held on Monday, coincides with the nationwide unveiling of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom 2013 – Edible Britain theme.

Business leaders, council officials, Shrewsbury in Bloom members and sponsors will come together to mark the launch and hear a rallying call from former Bloom Chairman, Stan Sedman, who helped lead Shrewsbury to victory when the town last won Britain in Bloom in 2006.

A brand new Shrewsbury in Bloom logo will also be unveiled as part of the event, which is being organised by the Shrewsbury in Bloom committee and hosted by Salop Leisure.

In addition a free seed planting session is being held this Saturday to coincide with the RHS Edible Britain theme. Members of the public are invited to plant a seed, take it home and watch it grow. The seed planting takes place in the unit next to WHSmith, on the mid-level of Darwin Shopping Centre, from 11am until 4pm. Allotment holders and Shrewsbury in Bloom members will be on hand to give gardening advice.

The RHS Edible Britain launch will see community gardening groups and schools create 2,000 edible gardens in public spaces across the UK between 7-14 April.

The RHS has distributed 30,000 seed packets in total, including chives, parsley, coriander, dill, garlic chives, sage, thyme, marigolds, nasturtiums, radishes, carrots, fennel, spring onions, spinach and red frills mustard.

Helen Ball, Town Clerk, said: “We are so excited to be launching our Incredible Edibles, alongside RHS Edible Britain. We have a host of exciting activities planned over the summer so watch this space! We are proud to be representing the West Midlands in the national stages of Britain in Bloom and we’re ready to show the rest of the region what we can do. We need everyone to rally round and do their bit, whether it’s organising a community litter pick, cleaning up graffiti or growing your own blooms, fruit and vegetables – everyone can make a difference.”

Stephanie Eynon, RHS Community Horticulture Manager, said: “Britain in Bloom isn’t just about pretty hanging baskets brightening up gloomy streets, it’s about improving the environment, enhancing lives and bringing communities together through gardening. Edible Britain will see new public herb and vegetable gardens planted across the UK, bringing access to tasty produce to thousands.”

Each year more than 200,000 people devote almost 4.4 million hours to enhancing their community through Britain in Bloom, saving the country thousands of pounds.

On average, groups plant 115,000 trees, 352,000 shrubs and 21.6 million plants and bulbs each year. In 2012, more than 1,200 groups participated in the wildflower-themed launch of Britain in Bloom and several acres of meadow were created.

To get involved with Shrewsbury’s Britain in Bloom entry contact Helen.ball-stc@shropshire.gov.uk