In 2006 and 2007 Devizes won a Silver Gilt Award from the South West Region “Britain in Bloom” Competition, for which our community can be justifiably proud. In awarding a prize, judges not only take into account the quality of displays in the town centre, they also visit many other areas within the town, including residential estates, industrial estates, parklands and even traffic islands to gain an overall picture of the effort put into the competition by the town’s residents.
If we are to repeat this achievement and even improve on it, then it will require the support of all the retailers and residents of the town. Each of us can help by putting up hanging baskets, clipping our hedges, tidying our frontages and clearing up litter by our property.
Each year the Town Council in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and the Devizes Gardening Club, run the Devizes Town in Bloom Competition. Last year the geographical area for the Devizes in Bloom competition was extended to include entries from Roundway Parish. We would like to thank Roundway Parish Council for their involvement and trust that they will continue to give their support. The competition has 12 categories including a Front Garden Display, Display in an Individual Hanging Basket, Display in a Single Container, Rear Garden Display, Best Allotment and Without Front Garden so even if you haven’t got half an acre of garden you can still have a go. Other categories in the competition include Display at Licensed Premises and Display at a Community Dwelling.
A new category for this year is Best Garden Display in a New Residential Development (under 2 years), the trophy is being kindly donated by the Town Mayor Mrs Jane Burton.
We hope that all firms and businesses will take part, (not just the ones in the centre of town, but also on the outskirts), to ensure visitors are given the best impression of Devizes, as an abundance of floral displays demonstrate prosperity and economic health, as well as a good sense of community.
Over the past years many of the public displays throughout the town were only made possible by the generous support of local businesses. We very much hope for a positive response from the commercial and industrial sector again this year and if you work for a firm that is not actively involved in the Devizes Town in Bloom scheme, then please contact the Town Clerk - Sarah Todhunter or Kevin Murray at Devizes Town Council on 01380 722160.
The South West regional judging for Britain in Bloom will take place sometime from the 7th to the 18th July 2008 and hopefully the weather will be an improvement on the previous two years torrential downpours that occurred during the judges visit.
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