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.

Successful Show crowns gold medal week

The ‘In Bloom’ group capped a week in which they won a gold award in the Heart of England in Bloom competition with a very successful Produce Show on Saturday 14th September. On Thursday of that week they heard, at a ceremony at Burton on Trent, that they had won the village category and a gold medal in the Midlands competition. Secretary Malcolm McDonald said that they were delighted to have achieved gold this year, as they had dipped to a silver-gilt last year – having won a gold and being village winners in the national Britain in Bloom the previous year.

The show, which was held in the Village Hall, had sections for children, flowers fruit and vegetables, domestic produce and handicrafts. Show Organiser, Jean Dunk, said that this was only the third annual show of recent times and she was extremely pleased that entries were up on last year, despite the appalling weather. There were nearly 200 entries in all classes from fifty people and it was particularly good that so many children had taken part.

Overall winner of the Children’s section was Sorcha Neill, whilst Gwen Lovatt won the Domestic and Malcolm McDonald the Veg, Flower and Fruit. Runner up in the Produce was youngster Ben Groom who has just left school and is obviously following in his grandfather John Groom’s footsteps, who has been showing for a great many years.

In Bloom Group Chairman, Alma Finlay Burrows, presented the prizes and Parish Council Chairman Ron Lucas congratulated everyone on success in winning Gold and putting on an excellent Show.

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

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.

Britain in bloom portfolio
Entry into the Heart of England in bloom competition entails preparation of a 30 page portfolio of activities and photos throughout the year. The portfolio has been scanned and the results are here for you to view.

Recent Success
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.

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