St Saviour’s ready to bloom nationally
FLORAL ST SAVIOUR’S is hoping to reclaim the Britain in Bloom Best Village Award next year, after being chosen to once again represent the island in the nationwide competition.
The parish was awarded the parish community award at Thursday night’s Floral Guernsey prize-giving dinner, collecting the coveted Lady Dorey Trophy.
Liz Pirouet-Douglas, who heads up the St Saviour’s Floral Group, said although the parish had won before, it was the first time the prize had been gold.
‘When we won in 2022 it was with a silver gilt, so to take a first-ever gold award in Guernsey is extra special – although when we won Best Large Village in 2023’s Britain in Bloom competition, that had been gold as well,’ she said.
‘It is always a surprise to win and we have got a few ideas up our sleeve for next year’s Britain in Bloom. It’s all about making everything bigger and brighter.’
She said the team was at work all year round to make the parish bloom.
‘It is not just about the summer, we are out in all weathers. We have got 4,000 bulbs ready to go in the ground now.
‘We always do our best, but we also try and keep it fun. We really do the floral arrangements more for the whole community than the competition – overhearing people say how nice it looks gives us a real buzz.’
Mrs Pirouet-Douglas thanked everyone in the community, especially all the volunteers in the floral team.
‘I also want to say thank you to all the people on community service who have helped with the displays,’ she said.
‘They have really been wonderful and contributed so much.’
Other big winners on the night included Camp de Reves glamping site, which took home three prizes – the Conservation and Wildlife Award, Tourism Award and the Simply the Best prize.
Campsite owner Jane Barnes was delighted with the recognition.
‘We won the conservation award last year and to win again meant a lot,’ she said. ‘But the Simply the Best prize came as a complete surprise. It was lovely to win, as it meant we had been chosen from everyone who had entered.’
The three trophies are now sitting proudly on her windowsill.
‘We do strive to be eco friendly. Right from the outset we have gone for a “kept but unkept” look. The whole site is biodiverse, with indigenous plants, and we use no pesticides.’
