Britain in Bloom judges in Aberdeen today
09 August 2018
Judges from the prestigious RHS Britain in Bloom competition were in Aberdeen today to decide if it wins in the ‘city’ category.
The visit, which came just after Beautiful Scotland judges were also in the city over the last weeks, started with Britain in Bloom judges Keith Jackson and Darren Share viewing the community garden at the Duthie Park Ranger Station.
The tour included the David Welsh Winter Gardens, Great Southern Road for the school ‘design a flowerbed’ competition, Airyhall School, Braeside Avenue to view a competition-winning private garden, Slopefield Allotments, Greenridge and Regency Place for more award-winning private gardens, Hazlehead Grove Nursery, Hazlehead Park, the Robertson Roof Garden at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Victoria Park, Woolmanhill roundabout and pocket garden, Seaton Park, and to finish with a stroll along the stunning Catherdral Walk in Seaton Park. There was considerable involvement from the various Friends groups around the city too.
When assessing Aberdeen, judges will take into consideration three key criteria - horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility – which are demonstrated across public spaces such as town or city centres, parks and communal gardens, as well as natural spaces including conservation areas and wildflower meadows.
Each entry’s final score also takes into account a whole range of complementary factors, from the condition of street furniture to the engagement of young people in Bloom activities.
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett said: “It’s been a beautiful sunny day to welcome the Britain in Bloom judges to Aberdeen and I hope they’ve enjoyed meeting all the people who are involved in making our city look green and beautiful.
“The community groups and City Council staff have done a wonderful job of ensuring our parks and green spaces are at their best even with the warm and dry summer we’ve had, so it’s fantastic so many of them have met the judges today.”
UK-wide, Britain in Bloom groups have transformed derelict land into community gardens, greened grey spaces, brightened up streets with floral displays, cleared litter, grown fresh produce, and so much more. In the 54th year of this quintessentially British gardening competition, the judges will visit the 76 villages, towns and cities chosen to fly the flag for their communities in the prestigious UK finals.
Mr Share said: “The Britain in Bloom campaign galvanises communities and provides the driving force for thousands of gardening enthusiasts across the country.
“Britain in Bloom groups work tirelessly throughout the year to tackle local issues and improve the place they call home. Everyone benefits from the work these groups carry out and I have seen first-hand the positive effect Britain in Bloom has had in bringing communities together.”
Aberdeen is competing against Belfast, Northampton, Norwich, and Reading in the city category.
The results of this year's competition categories will be announced at the Britain in Bloom awards ceremony in Belfast on 19 October.