Norton-in-Hales Britain in Bloom Group

FREE Talk on Thursday 15th March 2012

Joe Hawkins is the Head Gardener at Shugborough. He will be talking about walking from County Durham to Shugborough looking at 18th Century landscapes and sleeping in temples along the way! Joe is a very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and entertaining speaker who has travelled all over the world. Come and listen to his illustrated talk on Thursday 15th March at 7.30pm in the Jubilee Hall. Reserve your free place by contacting Jean Dunk on 655838 or entry on the night space permitting. Everyone welcome.

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.

Click here to see the latest minutes.

The next In Bloom meeting - Thursday 1st March at 7.30 in the Hinds Head.

People and finance
Chairman of the Group is Barbara Rigby, Roy Illingworth vice-chairman, secretary Malcolm McDonald (01 630 656646) and Treasurer Ann McDonald.

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.

Annual Flower, Fruit and Veg Show.
The show was re-started a few years ago by the group and has been quite successful. It is not taken too seriously and is regarded as 'a bit of fun'. For the particularly enthusiastic (and it is hoped there will be more of these as the years roll by) and simply those who have misplaced their printed copy, the schedule can be seen by clicking here.

Recent Success

2010 sees the fantastic run of success continue for Norton, as the village wins a Gold Award in the Britain in Bloom competition and is overall winner for the second time.

Ann and Malcolm McDonald receiving the gold award from Alyss Fowler at the RHS Awards Presentation.

Please click here to see an enlargement

A portfolio of the In Bloom activities throughout the year has to be provided for the judges. To see that for 2010 please click here

The judges obviously liked what they saw, because they decided that Norton were Britain in Bloom 2010 winners.
They were impressed by the community spirit in the village and made many pleasing comments, along with suggestions for further improvement. To read the full judges report, please click here.

2009 The village has won a gold award again in 2009, was judged best in the Heart of England village category and chosen to represent the Midlands in the national Britain in Bloom competition in 2010.

2008 Gold Awarded in 2008

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

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.

2005 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.