Tower and Town, July 2016 (view the full edition)Marlborough In Bloom 2016Marlborough in Bloom is the local entry to the South West in Bloom, one of eighteen regional/national competitions that make up Britain in Bloom, the biggest horticultural campaign in Europe. The aim of the communities that take part each year is to improve and regenerate our local environments, through the imaginative planting of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscaping, conservation and recycling projects, and to sweep away the eyesores that blight our streets, such as litter, graffiti and vandalism.
As you would expect, the High Street is the focus of our presentation to the South West in Bloom judges on judging day, July 19. "This year the response from our businesses and shops has been amazing, transforming the High Street with a blaze of colour from the glorious floral displays in troughs and hanging baskets. The community have been very appreciative of our efforts whilst we have been out litter-picking and weeding around the town," says Marlborough in Bloom Chairman Anne Crawley . New this year are the 14 local and very different groups entering the Royal Horticultural Society's “It's Your Neighbourhood” campaign. This non-competitive scheme aims to encourage volunteers to revamp and improve the areas they live in. This pride in place, with old and young working together to achieve a greener, cleaner town, has a knock-on, positive effect on the local economy and tourism. The neighbourhoods taking part are Stonebridge Wild River Reserve & Stonebridge Meadow, Marlborough Community Orchard, The Waterfront Garden in Kennet Place, and The Merchant's House Garden. We have high hopes of an outstanding award for these four entries to the 2016 It's Your Neighbourhood scheme. If you can spare a few hours to help with Marlborough in Bloom please come to one of the Community Action Days (4, 11, 18 July) meeting in the Priory Garden at 10 a.m.  Anne Crawley |
Marlborough in Bloom is run by a small voluntary committee. It receives grants from Wiltshire Council Area Board and Marlborough Town Council. Headed by lead sponsor Brewin Dolphin, we also have generous donations from local traders, businesses and individuals.