The parish was one of the four national finalists in the village and large village category, being assessed on floral, environmental and community aspects last week.
‘It’s the same criteria as we use for the regional competition, so there isn’t anywhere to hide,’ said UK final judge Rae Beckwith.
‘It’s all about the people we meet. There was a time when it was all about flowers, which are still important, but it’s also about the cleanliness of the area, the way people live, happy insects, happy wildlife and then the community and the work that the community does.’
Guernsey was the last of the four national entries to be judged. It is up against Cowpen Bewley in Northumbria, Eynsford in Kent and Filby near Great Yarmouth.
Mr Beckwith was joined by fellow judge James Cordingley, who has done a full circle as he was previously the head gardener in Herm.
He lived and worked in the island for five years, leaving in 2011. ‘It’s lovely to be back,’ he said.
It was during his time in Herm that he first met Mr Beckwith.
‘I met James when he was the gardener in Herm in 2008 and we’ve been best friends ever since,’ said Mr Beckwith.
‘When he decided to become a national judge I immediately thought he’d be a good partner for me.’
Floral St Saviour’s is representing Guernsey for the second time, and has put a particular focus on the parish’s community centre to create a welcoming, sustainable and community-focused space.
‘We’ve been working really hard, for us it is a whole year -round process, but this gives us the focus to get everything just right,’ said Liz Pirouet-Douglas, chairwoman of the Floral St Saviour’s group.
‘We work month-in, month-out, and we have tremendous pride in representing not only St Saviour’s, but the Guernsey team in Britain in Bloom, we love it.
‘We were at silver level for probably eight or 10 years, and then made the leap to gold.
‘It’s all a huge learning process and I’d encourage anybody to become involved. You have to keep it fun.’
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