19 October 2009
Published: 10 July 2009
Officers from Salisbury City Council’s Parks & Open Spaces department welcomed this year’s South & South East in Bloom judges to Salisbury on Wednesday 8 July for a tour of the city to judge Salisbury’s entry into the prestigious regional competition.
Following consecutive silver awards in 2007 and 2008 under the care of Salisbury District Council, 2009 marks the first year of Salisbury City Council coordinating Salisbury’s ‘City of Flowers’ entry - an annual campaign where the residents and businesses of Salisbury are asked to promote gardening, horticulture and community in making the city cleaner and greener.
To emphasise Salisbury’s green ambitions, one change in this year’s proceedings saw the judges take to the city on foot. Led by Reg Williams – Services Manager at Salisbury City Council, judges Peter Holman and Ian White from South & South East in Bloom were shown around Harnham Slope; Warres Acres allotments; Harnham recreation ground and the meadow at Middle Street – meeting local residents, allotment holders and the council’s dedicated groundsmen - before walking to Queen Elizabeth Gardens and the city centre via the Town Path.
Peter and Ian were then given the opportunity to visit Gilbert – the floral dragon in the High Street - and take in the sheer number and variety of floral displays around the city centre. Commenting on this, Reg Williams said, “It was a pleasure to be able to show Peter and Ian around the city and to be able to highlight all of the hard work of the council’s groundsmen and our contractors. Seeing so many flowers around the city is also a real testament to the people of Salisbury and the local businesses and organisations that support Salisbury City of Flowers each year”.
The judging tour then ended with a reception at the Guildhall, where Peter and Ian met with the Mayor, Mrs Bobbie Chettleburgh, and other guests. “We all take great pride in our city and we’re always hopeful of doing well in this competition. Having won silver awards in the last two years under Salisbury District Council, it would be a great achievement for the new city council to continue this success,” said The Mayor.
This year’s South & South East in Bloom awards ceremony will be at the Grand Hotel, Brighton on 2 September, where a victory would see Salisbury eligible for nomination into next year’s national Britain in Bloom competition.
