Shrewsbury hoping for sweet smell of success
It is known as the town of flowers – and Shrewsbury is hoping for the sweet smell of success after Britain in Bloom judges paid a visit as part of a whistle-stop nationwide tour.
The judges were in town yesterday to assess its entry in the Small City category of the Royal Horticultural Society’s annual bloom competition. Workman had been hard at it ensuring the town’s floral displays were up to scratch.
From the displays outside the castle to thousands of blooms in the award-winning Dingle and hundreds of planters, troughs and hanging baskets, everything had to be just right.
Spearheaded by Shrewsbury Town Council with the support of members of the Shrewsbury in Bloom committee, councillors and workers are hoping their efforts will have paid off. Judges started their day with a visit to Salop Leisure near Emstrey before making their way to the Quarry.
Even the controversial works on Pride Hill could not dampen their enthusiasm and a representative of Shropshire Council was on hand to explain why the main shopping street was undergoing extensive renovation works.
Town clerk Helen Ball said: “The exceptionally hot weather this year has produced its fair share of problems for our horticultural staff, particularly with ensuring the plants are well watered. But they have done a great job, having faced numerous obstacles along the way.”
Councillor Keith Roberts, chairman of Shrewsbury in Bloom, added: “It is testament to the hard work and great skill of the town council’s staff that the town’s floral features are looking as good as they do, especially with the hot summer we are having.
“We realise that the ongoing works on Pride Hill are an issue, but the judges are aware that this is a working town, and that investment in infrastructure needs to be completed. The judges will take this into account as they are shown around Shrewsbury. They also had the benefit of a representative from Shropshire Council to explain the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package as part of a wider plan for investment in the town centre.”
Britain in Bloom participants are visited by a team of two judges during the UK finals judging fortnight. The judges will award medals based on the score achieved. Gold is presented for ‘an exceptionally high standard demonstrated throughout.’
Shrewsbury is in competition against Rochdale, Derry City and Durham. The results for the competition will be announced at an awards ceremony in Belfast in October.
Shrewsbury took the small city title in 2016 and were named Champion of Champions in 2014.
