Date: 30/09/2008
Blooming marvellous! Buxton has been nominated to represent Britain in next year's European Entente Florale competition.
Buxton achieved the prestigious accolade after winning a Silver Gilt medal -- the third prize in the hotly contested Large Town category (12,000 to 35,000 residents) in this year's Britain in Bloom finals at Chester Racecourse on Wednesday, September 24, 2008.
The town's showpiece Pavilion Gardens -- the only park in East Midlands to win a coveted Green Heritage Award -- was also one of only four shortlisted for the Best Park in Britain finals, won by Ravelin Park in Southsea.
The Borough Council's Executive was so impressed by this achievement that it has doubled its usual contribution to the Buxton in Bloom campaign from £10,000 to £20,000 -- to give it an extra boost to its bid for European floral glory.
"This is absolutely fantastic news, and a fitting reward for all those who have made such an effort to make the town look its blooming best, despite the often difficult weather conditions we've had to deal with this year," said John Haken, High Peak Borough Council's Executive Councillor for the Environment.
"I'd like to thank everyone involved, including dedicated committee members, local businesses, schools and residents, who have worked so hard in partnership with the Borough Council to impress Britain in Bloom judges and earn the great honour of representing Britain in Europe next year.
"We are delighted to be able to double our support for this excellent opportunity to put both Buxton and the High Peak on the map, promoting their attractions to a wider audience and bringing positive benefits for tourism and the area's economy."
Jane McGrother, Chairperson of the Buxton in Bloom Committee, said: "This is a tremendous achievement for Buxton in Bloom and all those groups who helped us make such a successful submission this year. Until five years ago, we had not won any awards. Since then, we have progressed to win first place and Silver Gilt awards three years in a row -- and now we have this fabulous opportunity to fly the flag for the town, further afield.
"None of this would have been possible without the invaluable assistance of the Borough Council -- in terms of money, time and advice -- and we are very pleased to hear that extra funding will be available for next year's campaign.
"However we still face a massive challenge in the year ahead if we are to do justice to the confidence placed in us by Britain in Bloom judges, and need to involve as many gardening, environmental and community groups as possible. Please get in touch if you'd like to help make Buxton the best Large Town in Europe."
Buxton will be involved in Europe in Bloom next July and August, when 12 judges will assess the town's performance in a number of key areas, including floral displays, landscaping, tourism and promotion, environmental sustainability and community focus. They will also consider how effectively its overall environment is managed, both now and in the future.
Meanwhile, Britain in Bloom judges
Among the areas earmarked for improvement were some screening for The Crescent, more workshops and children's competitions, more planting in the commercial area, more involvement of young people in school initiatives, extending friends' groups and attracting other sources of funding.
Several businesses already back Buxton in Bloom, but attracting more support will be a key factor in Buxton's bid for European success.
Anyone interested in getting involved and benefiting from the wide promotional opportunities available, is invited to contact Mel Henley, the Borough Council's Parks and Environment Manager, on 0845 129 7777. Gardening, environmental and community groups, keen to join in, should contact Jane McGrother on 01298 24779, or Di Golding on 01298 79320.
