Blooming Beautiful Solihull
From Cabinet Member for Quality of Life and Neighbourhoods, Cllr Mrs Diana Holl-Allen on 25 September 2008
Solihull came out smelling of roses yesterday (Wednesday 25 September) after being named overall winner in the city category of the national Britain in Bloom competition.
The Borough scooped a sliver-gilt award and ‘Overall Winner’ after representing the Heart of England region in the competition for the first time in 10 years.
The Britain in Bloom competition is run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and judges visited the Borough on two occasions earlier this year, once unannounced and once on a guided judging route of the borough. They examined standards of horticulture, cleanliness and efforts made by the community with every corner of the Borough explored.
The summer judging day was hailed as a huge success with the national judges welcomed by a look-a-like Sir Alfred Bird and a wonderful display of triumph motorbikes, made in Meriden during the War, which portrayed some of Solihull’s famous heritage.
Pond dipping at Tidbury Green School, a prayer at St Alphege Church with the bells ringing out a welcome and a cream tea at Shakespeare Drive Allotments were also on the route. An art competition and garden competition worked extremely well this year involving both young and old in the Council’s aspirations to create a cleaner, greener and safer environment for all.
The judges were particularly impressed with the:
- improved environment created for residents and visitors alike
- involvement of the local community for example the work of the Soroptomists at Widney Manor Station, the Shakespeare Drive allotments and residents own front gardens
- high quality of hanging baskets and floral displays particularly those carried out in partnership with retailers in Solihull town centre
- exceptionally high level of cleanliness across the whole borough
Cabinet Member for Quality of Life and Neighbourhoods, Councillor Mrs Diana Holl-Allen said: “This competition is all about having pride in where we live and keeping our borough clean and green too - and we don’t accomplish this on our own. Residents, community groups, and local businesses, all pitch in to help us keep Solihull looking its best. Combined with the Gold award that we won in the regional competition, this is a fantastic achievement - well done to everyone involved.”
If you would like to help and support Solihull in Bloom please log on to www.solihull.gov.uk/solihullinbloom to find out more or call 0121 704 6546.
Notes to editors:
- 69 cities, towns and villages were visited in a bid to find the best of blooming Britain
For more information on Britain in Bloom visit www.rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom
For members of the press and media only: Julie Turner 0121 704 8172
Email: juturner@solihull.gov.uk