Shrewsbury to compete in RHS Britain in Bloom UK Finals 2025
Shrewsbury is set to shine on the national stage as it has been selected as one of the 44 finalists in the prestigious RHS Britain in Bloom 2025 competition.
Representing the Heart of England in Bloom region, Shrewsbury will compete in the Small City & City category against stiff competition from Aberdeen, Chorley, Derry, Harrogate, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Royal Tunbridge Wells, and Torquay.
The RHS Britain in Bloom competition is one of the UK’s most popular gardening campaigns, with the aim of enhancing communities and celebrating the impact that green spaces have on both the environment and local people.
As Sarah Galvin, RHS Head of National Community Programmes, explains: "Britain in Bloom is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of the incredible impact that gardening and green spaces can have on our communities and the environment."
No stranger to success
Shrewsbury In Bloom is no stranger to success, having recently earned three prestigious awards at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Heart of England in Bloom awards ceremony in September 2024. The town scooped up the Horticultural Excellence Award, Small City Award, and, for the first time in its history, the Overall Winner award since the council’s inception in 2009. The victory was a result of a successful judging visit in July, where judges toured key sites across the town, including Shrewsbury Town Council’s Weeping Cross nursery, the town centre, and the award-winning Dingle Gardens.
With around 300,000 summer bedding plants used across the town each year, Shrewsbury's floral displays are a key feature of the town’s entry, and preparations for the 2025 competition are already underway. Under the guidance of Pete Jenks, Nursery Manager at Weeping Cross, cuttings are being taken, seeds are being grown, and plants are being purchased in preparation for the main planting campaign which begins in June. The town will be judged this summer by the Britain In Bloom judges who will assess the efforts of council officers, volunteers, and other stakeholders in showcasing Shrewsbury at its very best.
School competition
In an exciting addition to this year’s campaign, local students will also have the chance to get involved by designing some of the floral displays through a school competition. The involvement of young people is just one of the many ways Shrewsbury In Bloom continues to foster community engagement and civic pride.
Danny Powell, Operations Manager for Shrewsbury Town Council, said: "Being part of the Britain in Bloom competition is not just about planting flowers; it’s about creating lasting memories and a sense of belonging within the community. Our teams, volunteers, and partners are working tirelessly to ensure that Shrewsbury not only meets the high standards required by the judges but exceeds them."
Helen Ball, Town Clerk for Shrewsbury, added: "Our Shrewsbury In Bloom campaign is key to bringing our community together and taking civic pride in our town as a wonderful place to live. Following our huge success last year, we are excited to build on that momentum and showcase Shrewsbury on the national stage in 2025."
The winners of the RHS Britain in Bloom competition will be announced in an awards ceremony this autumn. With 17 regional finalists, 3500 community groups, and thousands of local volunteers involved in the campaign, Shrewsbury is proud to stand among the nation’s best as it aims to bring home top honours once again.
