‘This is more than simply flowers, flowers, flowers’
BRITAIN in Bloom is about more than simply ‘flowers, flowers, flowers’ said visiting judge Rae Beckwith as he set off on the first day of this year’s regional judging of Floral Guernsey.
Mr Beckwith was joined by local judge Dave Stuart and they will be spending six days looking around parishes including St Martin’s, Torteval, Forest and St Peter Port, as well as visiting Herm and Alderney.
How the different entries fare will decide which is put forward to enter next year’s national Britain in Bloom competition.
St Saviour’s was the first to be judged, with Outdoor Guernsey providing its raised Land Rover for a parish tour with the floral group’s Liz Pirouet-Douglas on hand to give some historical background to various aspects of the area.
Mr Beckwith said it was useful to know some of the region’s history.
‘It’s not just horticulture any more, it’s about community and environment too and that embraces things like heritage. There are so many stories to be told.
‘Sometimes you stumble upon stories you weren’t aware of, like when I was told one about the Occupation years.
‘You’d not have found that out other than through someone who had experienced it. It was very humbling.
‘In times gone by it was just “flowers, flowers, flowers” and local authorities threw money at it. Now it’s all about bringing the community into it.’
Mr Stuart said efforts had been made to involve care homes in the competition as well, since just because people may be in one does not mean they are no longer interested in gardening and in St Saviour’s the Green Oaks nursing home was taking part for the first time.
Mr Beckwith said the Bailiwick community’s efforts would often shine through.
‘Invariably things are shown in pristine condition and that’s a credit for everyone.’
