Petworth wins Silver in national In Bloom competition

The result was revealed at an awards ceremony in London on Monday, October 10 and the results were broadcast live on the One Show on BBC One.

The small team which has led Petworth’s bid for floral glory attended the Britain in Bloom Finals award ceremony at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Lindley Hall in London on Monday, October 10.

In the small town category of Britain in Bloom Petworth was up against: Stonehouse in Gloucestershire; Croston in Lancashire, Kingsbridge in Devon, Randalstown in Ulster; and Hale Village in London, with the winner of the category being Tidy Randalstown from Ulster in Northern Ireland.

The overall winner of Britain in Bloom 2022 went to Amersham in Bloom who achieved Gold in the ‘town category’ and ‘succeeded in creating an inspirational culture of community connection through horticulture.’

For the competition on the national level Petworth and other finalists were judged according to ‘strengthened environmental criteria that will help them to consider sustainability issues and implement planet-friendly gardening techniques within their community projects.’

The Petworth In Bloom team created signage to inform the public of special areas in the town and there was a display of the year’s activities on the Petworth Town Council notice board in the main car park.

Street furniture was renovated and improved and street weeds cleared.

Patricia Hewlett, who has led the Petworth in Bloom team said: “We were up against five other towns from across the UK in one of the eight categories.

“There was a fantastic atmosphere in the Hall, with Rachel de Thane and James Alexander Sinclair presenting the award ceremony.

"Our team were made very welcome, and we had an exciting day.

"We need people to dig, tidy and plant bulbs and perennials now ready for next year and there is no rest time if we are to keep up the high standards we

have set!.”

Maggie South, another PiB team member said: “We met up with our judges after the ceremony and they gave us very positive feedback, explaining that Petworth had ranked quite high within the Silver Gilt category.

"We all travelled home feeling very proud not only of our own efforts but also of those of all our volunteers, the residents and the businesses in Petworth who have supported us”

“A huge thank you to Petworth and a plea for continued support as the year comes to its very busy close.

Following on from the success Petworth Town Council said: “Congratulations to the PIB team and all the volunteers who have helped over this year and before.”

The In Bloom team are also celebrating winning gold in the regional In Bloom competition and have now won the award for three years in a row.

If you would like further information about Petworth in Bloom and how you can contribute, please contact the team via email; [email protected]. You can also follow all the activities on the Petworth Town Council website and on Instagram; #petworthinbloom.