Norton-in-Hales Britain in Bloom Group

The group
This group has the objectives of enhancing the environment and conservation of the village via entry in the Britain in Bloom competition. The village has a long and successful history in both this, and the Best Kept Village contest.

Although it has a formal structure, and minutes of its monthly meetings are sent out, it is friendly group, who meet in the pub! They are ably assisted by lots of village people who do not attend meetings, but do their bit to keep the place looking good, and help in other ways.

Recent minutes.

Heart of England in Bloom. The village has won a gold award again this year, was judged best in the Heart of England village category,and chosen to represent the Midlands in the national Britain in Bloom competition next year. To see the judges comments click here

The next In Bloom meeting - Meetings for 2010 will be held at 7.30 pm at the Hinds Head on the following dates, 4th Feb, 4th Mar, 1stApr, 6th May, 3 Jun, 1Jul, 5th Aug, 2nd Sep, 7th Oct, 4th Nov.

People and finance
Chairman of the Group is Alma Finlay Burrows, Sally Guest vice-chairman, secretary Malcolm McDonald (01 630 656646) and Treasurer Ann McDonald.

The Parish Council gives a grant towards the cost of plants for summer bedding, but fundraising and sponsorship and donations are necessary to supplement this. Offers are always welcome!

The competition
Entry is made into the Heart of England in Bloom competition, who present bronze, silver, silver gilt and gold awards. Only the very best go forward into the National Britain in Bloom contest.

Only 30% of the points are awarded for floral displays, with the same proportion going to permanent planting, 15% to sustainable development (nature projects etc), 15% to local environmental quality and 10% for communication, fundraising and the like. So to be successful, entry has to be a community effort.

What’s happening?
To find out the date of the next meeting and the latest news, have a look at the minutes of the last meeting by clicking here , or have a look at the news page.

Recent Success
A Gold Award was secured again in 2009 and the village selected to represent the Heart of England in Bloom in the Britain in Bloom, village category during 2010.

The village won the Heart of England, Village Category, Award in 2005 with a gold medal. It was then selected to enter the national Britain in Bloom, representing Heart of England.

2006 saw the gaining of a gold medal in the Britain in Bloom competition and being judged best in its class. In winning the award, Norton in Hales beat off competition from 3 other villages, respectively Coniston, East Budleigh (Devon) and Scarva (Northern Ireland). Norton is the first West Midlands winner of the National Award, which represents the highest accolade from the campaign organized by the Royal Horticultural Society.

The village was also awarded a special Environmental Quality award, beating off contenders in all of its classes – from the largest city to the smallest hamlet.

The Heart of England competition was also entered in 2006 and again the village won a Gold award.

Norton gained a Silver gilt award in the 2007 Heart of England competition together with an Environmental Award and a Gold Award in 2008.