Do you take pride in how where you live or work is viewed by other people? Oswestry is a smashing town that looks even more lovely thanks to the efforts of so many people – and that could well include You. Why not showcase what you’ve done by entering this year’s Oswestry In Bloom competition? It’s open to households and businesses, schools and community groups.
It’s absolutely free, you’ll get a certificate to recognise your work, and you’ll be invited to a cheese and wine evening later in the year to mix with others just like yourselves. You can even get some tips there from some professional horticulturists.
You might say, “My garden’s nothing special.” But the competition is more than just planting plans and dazzling colour. One of last year’s awards went to Edwin Pitcher. He arranged his front garden in memory of his late wife, with a mixture of plants and ornaments. It quickly became a talking point for passing students from The Marches school. Sue Lloyd attracted attention with her vari-coloured hedges on a prominent corner plot. And the Thomas Dental Care frontage in Lower Brook Street was praised by many for its spectacular red flowering bushes on an otherwise bare patch of land close to the busy main traffic lights in town.
Youngsters are also encouraged. Connor Robbins received the annually presented silver trowel for his leadership in The Marches’ Gardening Club, and there are prizes for school community projects, for the tallest sunflower (there’s quite a rivalry between local primary schools!), and for specific photographic and (new this year) colouring competitions.
The multi-event organisers, Oswestry In Bloom, also plays its part in making the wider townscape tidier and more attractive. A happy band of volunteers take on a range of tasks, from helping in Cae Glas Park to weeding town centre streets, planting troughs, organising seed swaps and plant shares, maintaining open green spaces, clearing litter, and even painting town passageways that have become a little shabby. Last year also saw them work on invigorating the rather forgotten Oswald’s Well area – this included involving the public in a traditional well-dressing event. This year, with welcome support from the Oswestry & Cambrian Rotary Club, OIB is instigating the Oswestree Trail – a formal trail around Cae Glas Park with information on its many established trees.
There are various categories, including front and back gardens (whatever size), hanging baskets and wildlife areas. Commercial premises are also invited to take part, and there’s a separate shop window display category – the theme this year is Growing Together.
Under the leadership of Natalie Bainbridge, Oswestry has achieved national recognition. A couple of years ago Oswestry was proclaimed ‘best large town’ in the national Britain In Bloom contest. “While it’s fantastic to see Oswestry recognised on a national stage, it’s also very much about local people bonding together and making a huge difference in our wonderful town, and we’d love to see as many as possible getting involved this year,” says Mrs Bainbridge. That’s a view echoed by national In Bloom judge Gareth Manning, “Oswestry knows how to pull out all the stops, from the hard-working main committee and through the volunteers under its umbrella, and it really excels as an example of working together for the common good.”
Oswestry is entered in the Midlands heats of In Bloom once more this summer, where it’ll again face stiff competition from towns across Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire, which makes its long streak of gold awards over many years all the more commendable.
Oswestry In Bloom is looking forward to YOU being part of it.
Entries close at the end of June. Entry forms and further details about categories and volunteering can be found via the Oswestry in Bloom website – oswestryinbloom.wordpress.com – its social media pages @oswestryinbloom – or email direct louisehumphreys@oswestry-tc.gov.uk (01691 680222).
Pictures: Graham Mitchell.
