Thanks to Sue for this latest news from Visit Isle of Wight. Ed
Celebrity gardener and TV presenter, Alan Titchmarsh MBE, VMH (Victoria Medal of Honour RHS) has been revealed as Patron of “Wight in Bloom”, an annual horticultural competition which is open to all Island residents, with the aim to make the Island a brighter, greener place to live and visit.
Sponsored by Visit Isle of Wight (VIOW) – who have taken over management of the competition alongside Peggy Jarman – and Red Funnel Ferries, Wight in Bloom 2015 is being developed as a curtain-raiser to VIOW’s Garden Isle campaign, which will coincide with Visit England’s Year of the Garden 2106.
Wight in Bloom 2015
Root out the gardening gloves, go potty with those plants and get growing for the return of Wight in Bloom in 2015.
Residents, schools, businesses, community groups, towns and villages on the Island are invited to don their gardening gloves and take part in Wight in Bloom.
The annual competition is open to all Island residents and organisations to show the rest of the Island what they’ve been doing to brighten up their garden and improve the local environment.
Seven categories
To be in with a chance of winning, keen gardeners can choose to enter one of seven main categories:
- Best Small Front Garden
- Best Large Front Garden
- Best Public House
- Best Tourism Business
- Best Senior Citizen Complex/Nursing Home/Care Home
- Best Young People Initiative
- Best Community Floral Project
- Best Tourist Attraction Garden (free to enter and paid admission tourist attractions are both eligible to enter this category)
Organisers and sponsors
The 2015 event is organised and sponsored by Visit Isle of Wight and Red Funnel Ferries who are adding their support and financial backing to the event to help create a vibrant and welcoming environment for visitors.
The organisers hope that the appointment of popular celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh as Patron of Wight in Bloom will emphasise the Island’s green credentials and help inspire Islanders to get involved in Wight in Bloom this year.
Planning a major push
David Thornton, CEO, Visit Isle of Wight, said:
“We’re honoured that Alan has agreed to be our Patron of Wight in Bloom and now plan a major push to encourage more tourism businesses and retailers on the Island to show a bit of flower power this summer.
“The success of the Wight in Bloom is testament to all the hard work and dedication by the organiser, Peggy Jarman, who over the years has worked with Island communities, businesses and local individuals to help create colourful displays at entrances to villages, around bus shelters, in pub gardens and in residents’ own front gardens.”
Peggy Jarman said:
“I am thrilled and delighted that Visit Isle of Wight and Red Funnel have stepped in to support the competition.
“Whether you are a novice gardener or an expert, everyone is very welcome to enter and make our Island a greener and more colourful place.”
Judging will take place in July and entry is free. An awards ceremony will be held in August, where prizes for the lucky winners – one for each of the seven categories and an overall winner – will hopefully be presented by Alan Titchmarsh.
Alan Titchmarsh said:
“The Island is bursting with natural beauty from its wildflower cliff walks, bluebell woods and orchid-rich fields, to its cottage gardens, horticultural shows and wide variety of public and private gardens.
“I’m therefore honoured to be Patron of Wight in Bloom and look forward to seeing who it discovers next.”
Green-fingered Islanders can join in the floral fun by completing the entry form which will be available in the 22nd May edition of the Isle of Wight County Press.
Article edit
Eighth category added
