Judges Comments

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Oswestry - Large Town

 2009

 

Like the smooth running of a Swiss timepiece the Oswestry in Bloom Committee began the judge’s tour with an excellent presentation.  The pace of the tour, places of interest, the horticulture and people we met mirrored that polished beginning.  The Bloom Committee is well supported by the new Shropshire Unitary Authority and volunteers alike.  One day though the judges might get to see one of the largest Iron Age Hill Fort in Europe!

 

Areas of Achievement:

 

  • Old Chapel Court.
  • Oswestry Fire Station and the horticultural efforts of the Retained Fire fighters.
  • Quality and quantity of the themed baskets in the town centre.
  • Many fine residential gardens, Mrs Willett’s garden in particular.
  • Woodside School, the enthusiasm, Forest School, planting and plans for the future were infectious.
  • Gatacre allotments, where else in the UK can you make a garden shed for £2?
  • The provision of wildlife areas/corridors throughout some of the newly built housing estates.
  • The Unitary Authority steadily achieving recycling targets.
  • The excellent working relationship with the Bloom, Town Clerk and Unitary Authority.
  • The use of the press in publicising Bloom.
  • The support businesses are giving in general.

2008

The Heart of England in Bloom judges met Oswestry in Bloom Committee Members at the Walls Restaurant for coffee and an excellent power point presentation.  After a walk through Cae Glas Park which was quite stunning, and had a brass band playing following a press call the tour commended in 1949 Ford Prefect and took in residential areas, primary school grounds, a cemetery, industrial sites, allotments and finally a walk around the central streets to view the many wonderful flowers, to inspect the restored castle wall, and survey work by the Civic Society who prove excellent but independent support to the efforts of everyone involved in bloom.  Although overcast the rain kept away and the town looked quite beautiful.  All the hard work over many years is now paying large dividends.

 Heart of England In Bloom LogoPoints that impressed the judges:

  • The floral displays in the street and Cae Glas Park
  • The businesses have supported Bloom in a substantial way
  • The residential gardens
  • The community involvement has been tremendous at all ages
  • Cae Glas Park new lily bed, also the restored landscaped alleyways such as Old Chapel Court
  • The Sainsbury plantings, now matured and the Industrial Estates
  • All the volunteers efforts, school planting at Woodside School, Gatacre Allotments and the children in particular with the bulb competition
  • The recycling efforts
  • The litter free environment
  • The survey work by the Civic Society which has transformed the management of fly posting and painting of street furniture to a proper programme
  • The efforts of volunteers in keeping the environment clean
  • The banners and shop window posters

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