Get blooming! Northampton launches annual campaign to bring bursts of colour to town

Pictured are members of the Northampton in Bloom committee: Robbie Speirs, Commercial Manager at Moulton College, Sue Ousley, Secretary to Head of Customer and Cultural Services at NBC, Councillor Mike Hallam, cabinet member for environment, Paul Manns, neighbourhood warden, and Councillor Tony Ansell, assistant cabinet member for environment

Entries are now open for people who want to take part in the 2017 competition.

This year, the theme for displays is ‘all things bright and bloomingful’ and Northampton Borough Council is hoping to see more people than ever before enter to take part. Planned public displays will include boot and shoe motifs as well as an Edgar Mobbs memorial, commemorating the centenary of the death of the former Northampton Saints captain who formed the Sportsman’s Battalion during World War I.

Councillor Mike Hallam, cabinet member for environment, said: “For me, Bloom is one of the highlights of the year because it brings the whole community together.

“We have a beautiful town and it’s brilliant to see so many individuals, schools, businesses and community groups working together to help us show everyone how proud we are of it. We’ve had 25 entrants for this year’s competition already, but I’m really hoping that now the weather is improving even more people are going to get involved.

“We did exceptionally well in the East Midlands in Bloom competition last year, securing a Silver Gilt award for our efforts as well as a special commendation for getting the whole town in bloom. This year, of course, we are aiming for gold but the real point of getting involved is to showcase the wonderful community that we have here in Northampton.”

For the first time, the borough council is looking for people to come forward to become Bloom volunteers. Volunteers will help with litter-picking and community gardening projects to help make sure that Northampton’s blooms are ready for the East Midlands in Bloom judging day in the summer.

The competition is open to everyone from novices to professional gardeners. The deadline for entries is Friday June 23.

For more information on how to get involved visit www.northampton.gov.uk/northampton-in-bloom.