Chatteris in Bloom hope to have impressed following competition judgment days
The hopes of the region partly rest on the shoulders of one Fenland town this summer when it comes to the East of England's chances in the Britain in Bloom competition.
And on Monday and Tuesday last week the hardy group of volunteers from Chatteris in Bloom welcomed the competition's judges to town.
Tina Prior, chair of Chatteris in Bloom, said Monday's judges were there to judge the town for the annual Anglia in Bloom competition and it is hoped the volunteers have done enough to once again impress and to take a coveted Gold Award.
On Tuesday the Britain in Bloom judges were guided around the town as Chatteris was one of just a handful of places chosen to represent our region in the prestigious competition following three years of success in the regional contest prior to the pandemic.
Tina said: "They didn't give much away on either of the days. But the judges did seem impressed by the sustainability of our planting schemes.
"This year we have gone for all perennials rather than annuals and bedding plants thanks to the technical expertise of our head gardener Tor Liefsen, who talked the judges through each of our schemes.
"The judges were also impressed by the condition of our street furniture, which often can prove to be a problem, but they said how well maintained our benches were.
"Although it has been stressful and it has been eat, breathe and sleep dreamt of In Bloom for the past few months, it was lovely for things to be back to normal and to have the chance of welcoming the judges to the town so we could talk to them face to face.
"It is much easier to convey our passion in person and hopefully that came across well. We are quite a small team of volunteers, there are seven committee members and then half a dozen or so regulars who turn out to help as and when they can, and we are very grateful to them for their dedication."
Now it is a waiting game with the winners of the Anglia in Bloom competition set to be announced on September 7 and the Britain in Bloom being announced in London at the RHS headquarters on October 10.
"We have done everything we can, it has been an honour to be chosen to represent the region in the national competition and we just hope we have done the East of England proud.
"Every single person involved in every aspect of the CiB 2022 campaign should be immensely proud of their efforts and contributions.
I really think we have made a positive impact on the RHS judges with what we have here. Our planting schemes and our sense of community." concluded Tina.
For information on how to get involved with Chatteris in Bloom visit their Facebook page.
