BRITAIN in Bloom judges shrugged off yesterday’s rain as proud St Andrew’s parishioners showed off their entry for the competition. A well-tanned Jocelyn Watts was delighted to host the two Royal Horticultural Society judges as the culmination of a project she and other co-ordinators had planned since October.
‘Our community group has expanded throughout the year and we’ve had such fun doing it,’ she said.
A core group of 15 organised the initiative, but others were involved, such as the church, Blanchelande Girls’ College and Guernsey Clockmakers.
A show of parish solidarity was demonstrated with the final point in the judges’ tour being the primary school.
Mrs Watts said she was grateful for everybody’s support and sponsorship.
‘There’s been a real network of professional people pulling the whole thing together. It was an absolute joy to show the parish off not just to the island but also to Britain in Bloom. We’re proud of what we’ve done.
‘We were also very relaxed about it and today was the climax of our enjoyment.’
The two judges, Sue Rodrigues and Jim Buttress, took an hour-and-a-half to take in the parish’s entry. It was the first they had seen of all the final entries around the British Isles.
‘It really was a lovely treat despite the rain, which we ignored,’ said Mr Buttress.
‘What was noticeable was the tremendous community effort. It was obvious that everyone has turned out and helped, which is so important. It’s not just today, it’s a year-round thing. We saw evidence of the very thing that we want. People have been doing it from January to December.
‘The thing is with this campaign it relies heavily on sponsorship and people’s own efforts.’
Both he and Mrs Rodrigues agreed that people had enjoyed the whole thing. They were looking for the community drive, evidence of project sustainability and permanent landscaping.
‘It’s not just pretty flowers,’ said Mrs Rodrigues. ‘The other thing is involvement with TV and the local press. We’ve seen that today and it’s very important.’
Mr Buttress, who has been an RHS judge for 11 years, said the ethic behind the competition was to make the British Isles a better place to live and work.
It was started in 1963 and encouraged people to have pride in where they live whether that be a village, town or city. Both judges felt that civic pride had become particularly important in today’s world.
‘One of the most important aspects was where we finished today - the local children and their school. They are our future and it’s teaching them how to protect, maintain and enjoy their environment.
‘Every little bit helps, whether it is one geranium in a pot or a whole field of plants.’
Floral Guernsey co-ordinator Peter Falla attended the tour. He felt the parish had done the Bailiwick proud.
‘I just want to congratulate St Andrew’s on its outstanding effort. The island is the winner for what it has done.’
The winner of the large village section of the competition, which St Andrew’s has entered, will be announced on Thursday 23 September in Leeds.
Article posted on 3rd August, 2004 - 12.00am
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