Solihull in Bloom

Background

Solihull annually enters the largest horticultural campaign in Europe "Britain in Bloom".

The competition is administered by the Royal Horticultural Society on a national scale. On a regional scale the Heart of England Tourist Board organises and runs the Heart of England in Bloom competition which sees individual streets, villages, towns and cities compete for a bronze, silver or gold standard for their local area. Heart of England in Bloom has 10 entry categories of which Solihull enters the city category (population 150,001+).

The entire community is encouraged to take part and support our entry into the competition too, by tending to their gardens, becoming involved in conservation projects and identifying areas which need improvements for a variety of reasons including litter, weeds or graffiti. There are some fun elements to get involved in which include the annual floral garden and hanging basket competition, with over £1000 of prizes to be won.

With the help of local businesses, schools, community groups and sponsors we are making a real difference to our local neighbourhood. We are keen to hear about projects and work you do in the community to help brighten up and improve Solihull.

2008 - Regional judging

The regional awards acted as a trial run for our national Britain in Bloom judging in August and the judges were happy to give us some pointers to improve on for the national judging.  The day was a great success, with a spot or two of rain at the start of the day, at our first stop, CastleBromwich Hall Gardens.   

It fizzled out though to provide us with a great day for judging.  The tour moved on to Grace Academy where we met the police liaison officer and some of the pupils then on to meet a local resident in Chelmsley Wood, who with the help of area care takers maintains a communal garden for a residential block of flats.   We then journeyed to the centre of England, Meriden and stopped at the quaint villageof Berkswell to explain the local history and meet the vicar.  It was a prime opportunity to have a cheese tasting session of the local goats’ cheese, which went down well with the judges!  Next was a stop off at Malvern Park to meet the park rangers and then on to St Alphege Church, where the bells rang to welcome the judges to Solihull. 

After a walk through the town centre we travelled to one of the Council’s allotment sites at Shakespeare Drive, where there was an amazing display of produce and enthusiastic plot holders.  The trip then took a look around Dickens Heath and the Nature Reserve, where we looked at a selection of bugs caught in the grassland.  A stop at Tidbury Green School gave the judges the opportunity to do some pond dipping and meet children who had worked hard to create a green flag eco school. 

The final stop of the day was to meet a group of ladies from Hockley Heath who do lots work to make the village colourful – from planting hanging baskets and containers to litter picks and bulb planting.  The day was inspiring, with so many willing volunteers and groups who help to maintain our local environment and give Solihull a sense of community.  Well done to everyone involved!

Comments from the regional judges were as follows:

The Solihull judging tour started at the excellent Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens and this standard was maintained through a busy schedule.  There were well maintained and colourful bedding displays in all corners of the district and at Malvern Park there was a good traditional carpet bed with the Local Roots theme.   Well done to everyone involved in the tour."

2008 – National judging

What a great day!  There were some slight changes to the route to reflect the suggestions made by the regional judges, due primarily to the lack of time to fit everything in. The national Judges were welcomed by a look a like Sir Alfred Bird, to represent our local roots and heritage.  They were then surprised by a display of motorcycles provided by the Meriden Triumph owners club, this again was to represent our local heritage.   The press came out in full to cover the day and Solihull Town Centre was buzzing with the help of a morris dance display and a fun festival for children.  All in all the day was a great success and everyone joined forces to help show off what we have to offer in the Borough.  Through entering the Borough in the national award we have certainly put Solihull on the map and hope it will attract people to the area.      

Results galore     

The Mayor and Mayoress accepted a GOLD award at the regional presentation, held at Burton upon Trentin August.  This is a great result for the Borough, highlighting that standards of horticulture and cleanliness are still in tip top condition all around Solihull.  

We now have to wait patiently for the National Britain in Bloom results in which Solihull was representing the region.  The Mayor will be attending the awards ceremony in Chesteron Wednesday 24^th September to see how successful the Borough has faired in its first entry into the national competition in 10 years.

 

Previous Years

Solihull has entered successfully since 1996, with the following awards:

• First entry 1996 - Highly Commended Town Centre and Tidy Britain Award for litter Management
• 1997 - Highly commended award for whole of the Borough and trophy for community involvement to Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens.
• 1998 - Highly commended for the whole of the Borough and The Midland Bank Award for technical innovation for Chelmsley Basket Tree.
• 1999 - National Champions and Green Finger Challenge Award to Mill Lodge School
• 2000 - Entente Floral Gold Award and The Rugby Cement Trophy for community effort given to Hockley Heath Gardening Club.
• 2001 - Regional Winners, Large City Category - Gold Award
• 2002 - Regional Winners, Large City Category - Gold Award
• 2002 - Knowle Knot Garden received highly commended award
• 2003 - Regional Winners
• 2004 - Regional Winners, City Category - Silver Gilt Award
• 2005 - Regional Winners, City Category - Gold Award
• 2006 - Regional Winners, City Category - Gold Award
• 2007 – Regional winner, City category – Gold award and nomination to the National Britain in Bloom competition
• 2008 – Regional winner, City category – Gold award

With kind donations via sponsorship, expertise and support from the community, Solihull has been improving year on year.  Take a look at some of the activities and events, which have benefited from Britain In Bloom work.

Contact Details

Should you like further information on Britain in Bloom, the Solihull in Bloom competition or how you can help or make suggestions, please contact the Events and Marketing Team

Tel: 0121 704 6546

Email: solbloom@solihull.gov.uk