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Clifton in Bloom to Represent South West in 2017 RHS Britain in Bloom Awards

Following Clifton Village’s prestigious Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Pennant Award over the last three years, Clifton in Bloom has once again been selected to represent the South West in the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom UK Finals 2017.

The group will join 78 other Britain in Bloom finalists competing to be crowned one of the cleanest, greenest and most beautiful places in the UK.

Clifton Village was chosen for Clifton in Bloom’s commitment to environmental responsibility, high levels of community participation and outstanding gardening achievements.

Between them, the many volunteers from Clifton Village and Clifton in Bloom will be replanting the garden around the Clifton Suspension Bridge with a mix of plants and shrubs found in the Avon Gorge. Clifton Village will be displaying floral baskets and tubs, together with planters planted with bee friendly pollinators.

The group’s efforts will contribute to the millions of bulbs, seasonal plants, perennials, shrubs and trees being planted around the UK by over 2,500 Britain in Bloom and It’s Your Neighbourhood groups, transforming hard grey areas into green spaces that benefit both people and the environment.

Between July and August, the group will lead RHS Britain in Bloom judges on a tour of Clifton Village as they bid to win a top award. The winners will be announced at the Britain in Bloom awards ceremony in Llandudno, North Wales on 27 October.

A number of special awards that recognise excellence in a particular area, be that protecting the local environment, getting young people involved in gardening, or overcoming adversity such as flooding or vandalism, will also be up for grabs.

Now in its 53rd year, Britain in Bloom has evolved into a UK-wide campaign that brings communities together while promoting the environmental and health and wellbeing benefits of gardening.

Andrew Morgan, chair, BID Clifton Village explains: “We are delighted to have been selected to represent Bristol and the South West in the Britain in Bloom finals. We have won an award every year for the past three years so we are excited to invite the RHS judges to Clifton Village to discover Clifton and all of its gardening achievements.”

Sharon Baker, a member of Clifton in Bloom said: “This year our efforts will be concentrated on planting more pollinators to attract bees to the area and to encouraging more volunteers from local businesses and residents to get involved in the Clifton in Bloom movement.”

Andrea Van Sittart, RHS Head of Community Outreach said: “Congratulations to Clifton in Bloom on reaching the UK Finals of this year’s RHS Britain in Bloom campaign.

“To represent their region on the UK stage is an incredible achievement and shows they are already at the top level of community gardening, going the extra mile to improve their local area and make it cleaner, greener and more beautiful for everyone.”