2006 – A Bloomin Success!

Thanks to the efforts of local people, community groups, schools, businesses and council staff the Stevenage In Bloom campaigns have flourished in 2006.

Stevenage in Bloom 2006

This annual competition is designed to encourage the whole community to play an active role in improving their environment.  Old or young, garden or hanging basket, school or business there is something for everyone.  In 2006 the In Bloom Forum attracted over 100 entries across 11 categories.

On Wednesday 27 September, the Mayor helped to present certificates and trophies to entrants and winners.  The trophies and awards were sponsored this year by:

• Barclays Bank
• Blooms of Bressingham
• Characters Signs
• The Comet
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Groundwork Hertfordshire
• Stevenage Homes Ltd
• The Van Hage Garden Company

Anglia in Bloom 2006

The In Bloom Forum co-ordinates the towns entry into this regional competition which invite entries from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

This summer Stevenage was judged on the floral displays, permenant planting, sustainability and cleanliness from all sectors of the community – businesses, residents, community groups, the council, and schools.

Following the towns success in previous years, the In Bloom Forum worked hard to retain our title as Best Small City in Anglia in Bloom.

On 14 September the Mayoress, Bridie Speller, members of the Council and the In Bloom Forum attended the Anglia in Bloom awards.  For the second year running Stevenage was judged the Best Small City.

We were also placed in the top six, across the region, in three specialist categories: Biodiversity, Best Industrial Area - Gunnels Wood Business Park, and Best Project for Special Needs – Larwood School.

Britain in Bloom 2006

Following the towns success in the regional competition, the Anglia in Bloom Committee nominated Stevenage to represent the region in Britain in Bloom 2006.  This prestigious competition invites entries from In Bloom regions throughout Britain and the Channel Islands.

Mayor Simon Speller accepted a Silver Award in Perth, Scotland in September.  Congratulations Stevenage!

In Bloom Calendars – 2007

Earlier this year the In Bloom Forum invited residents to submit photographs to the My Favourite Space Competition.

Hundreds of photographs showing the diversity and beauty of our town were received.  The judges were very impressed with the high standard of the photographs and choosing the best twelve was a hard task.

The winning photos have been used for a 2007 calendar.  All money raised from the sale of the calendars will go to a Green Grant Fund which will be redistributed to local community groups, later this winter, to enable them to undertake environmental projects in their area.

The calendars are available from a number of retail outlets around the town so please look out for them and support your bloomin town.

Winners: Anne Parnell, Colin Carter, Phil Turner,  Alan Tibble, Chris Mcalpine, Mike Nash, Jean Brookfield, Richard Butlin, Alice Biucchi and Peter Dewe.