East Midlands in Bloom judges visit Collingham to inspect village’s debut competition entry
A village has been visited by judges for its first ever East Midlands in Bloom competition entry.
Collingham was paid a visit by the officials on Thursday, July 3, who were given a comprehensive tour of the area by Collingham in Bloom and members of the community.
Former Historic Newark in Bloom chairman Jenni Oliver this year took the helm of the new Collingham in Bloom group, to help see it through it’s first entry to the East Midlands in Bloom competition.
Jenni said: “I think we’ve done tremendously well, a few hiccups but I think its been positively fantastic.
“We couldn’t have asked for better weather or better judges. The route was first class too, it was well planned.”
All the stops were pulled out for the competition, with vintage cars to ferry the group between locations, welcoming refreshments at the cricket pitch decked out with hanging baskets, and a community after party at the Royal Oak pub.
The East Midlands in Bloom competition focuses on the ‘three RHS core pillars of excellence’; horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility, and community participation, and seeks entries which promote these things.
Stops along the route included; Collingham and District Cricket Club; Fruit Farm as the best residential garden entry; the village green; the Trent Vale Trail; All Saints Church; the adopted telephone boxes at Wonky Corner; Beaufields House as best community hub; The Shed at Collingham, Gusto, and The Allotment café complex as best commercial entry; ending at The Royal Oak as entry for best pub.
At some of the locations talks were given by experts on the enterprises — including local historian Nigel Priestly, pub manager Matthew Cook, and Dez Williams from The Shed.
“I think we’ve really hit the key priorities for East Midlands in Bloom,” Jenni added.
“Sustainability, horticulture, and we’ve definitely got the community spirit.”
After successfully guiding the village through it’s first entry, Jenni will now hand over the position of chairman to Iain Orme, current vice chairman, for the next year.
Iain said: “I think it’s gone really well today, we’ve been fortunate with the weather. Its been a fantastic time with two vintage cars to take us around the village.
“People have been so happy with the changes bloom has made, its been a real improvement. You used to go through Collingham and see concrete verges, but now you see flowers.”
Collingham in Bloom was also supported by groups including the WI, Scouts, knitting group, Collingham Fire Station, Gusto, GEM, EMR, J D Nicholls and Sons, Pearson’s and Hollybeck garden centres, and the parish council, who the group offered their thanks to.
The results of the competition are expected to be released in September.
