South West in Bloom
Congratulations and many thanks to everyone involved with South West in Bloom for an outstanding contribution towards maintaining and improving the environment, floral features and the lives in communities throughout the region.
It’s Your Neighbourhood entries continue at a good number, and there are many examples of where all your efforts have had a real impact in your local area.
The future is bright, though localism, food production and climate change concerns are areas for us all to address. In this regard, I am pleased to note that the RHS is continuing to invest in communities and are reviewing its staff teams, and initiatives to recognise what you all do in the widest sense.
Our Annual Awards Presentations are always well attended and are a fantastic way for our Bloom, IYN Community Groups, Businesses and Park Teams to come together with our Judges and Assessors to celebrate everyone's achievements and success over the past year.
Social media provides a massive opportunity whereby we can communicate our values, aspirations and outcomes to it's full extent. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram and spread the word!
Chelsea in 2023 was another profile rousing event for SWIB, and to everyone involved, please accept my most sincere thanks for all your support.
As to the future, I feel that we have a wonderful opportunity to promote change through our National and Regional projects. We can address diversity, and the environment, but not forget the value of plants and horticulture and the positive effect they have on people in our brilliant South West region.
2024 marks the 60th Anniversary of Britain In Bloom, so this will be a special year to get involved with all things Bloom. To celebrate, the theme chosen by the RHS is 'friendship' , marking how over the 6 decades, community gardening has brought so many people together, making new friends, getting to know your neighbours, and to forge stronger commuity networks. It's never been a more exciting and rewarding time to become involved with Bloom!
Many thanks,
Jon Wheatley
Chairman South West in Bloom