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.

2007 successes

After a wet and windy few months, the judging day in July was a great success and stayed dry for us. We started the visit in Dickens Heath for the first time with support from Parkridge, the developers and Dickens Heath Management Company. We visited the village and the Nature Reserve via the canal and received positive comments about the area. The tour then moved on to Tidbury Green School, which was one of the first schools in the Borough to receive the coveted Green Flag for their environmental awareness.

Community involvement was evident at Tanworth Lane Allotments and Widney Manor Stations – where hours of hard work makes a visible improvement to the local environment. Solihull Town Centre was then explored, meeting with key partners along the way and stopping off at the Bowling Green at The George Hotel, for a break and then walking down into Malvern Park to see the floral displays and meet the Park Ranger team.

The judges were asked to bring their wellies for the visit to Newlands Bishop Farm in Catherine De Barnes but the farm was mud free! A visit to Kingsgate House in Chelmsley Wood was the finale to the visit where a high rise flat had received a make over to the garden area and is a great community garden now for all the residents. Everyone involved in the day met up at Melbicks Garden Centre for the Mayor's visit and the end of a lovely day.

The results

The Mayor and Mayoress attended a presentation ceremony in Cheltenham to find the results of the competition. Solihull once again did extremely well and picked up a GOLD in the city category and a surprise nomination to represent the region in the National Britain in Bloom competition in 2008. This means the Borough will be judged by the Royal Horticultural Society Judges on two occasions in 2008 and will clearly put Solihull on the map!

All hand on deck will be required to make Solihull a picture of colour and cleanliness in 2008. So please watch this space for ideas on how you can get involved.

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

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