The Royal Horticultural Society is calling for entries to the Britain in Bloom Neighbourhood Awards, its new campaign to encourage small resident-led communities to improve their local environments with flowers and plants.
The new scheme helps local people to work together to transform their local surroundings. People taking part have reported a safer, cleaner and more attractive neighbourhood and a thriving community spirit.
RHS Britain in Bloom chairman of judges Jim Buttress explained: “Small things can make a big difference. The Neighbourhood Awards encourages communities to use sustainable planting to enhance their local streets, start recycling, promote biodiversity and care for their surroundings. It’s free to enter and open to all.”
Neighbourhood Awards campaigner Mary Armstrong is one of five residents at the Irk Valley Estate Neighbourhood Award community in Manchester who came together to impove their neighbourhood.
She says that fixing up the area has had a very positive impact on her fellow residents. “The flowers are just a very small part of what we have done - the social aspects are far more important. The whole thing has put the heart back into the community and people now take a pride in where they live. It’s changed the whole aspect on the estate. Everyone is doing their bit to make the area outside their houses look clean and tidy, with planters filled with flowers and hanging baskets on display.”
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