Coventry in bloom will make sure Coventry city centre will be in full bloom as it competes in a prestigious nationwide gardening competition. A city-wide team is pulling out all the stops to make sure the city centre is ready for its Britain in Bloom campaign.
The competition encourages gardening groups to use social involvement and the environment to help transform their communities.
Judging day will be Wednesday, July 25 when the chair and vice-chair of Heart of England in Bloom judges will spend the morning walking the route around the city centre. They will be taken on a whistle-stop tour by representatives from Coventry Business Improvement District (BID), Coventry City Council and Coventry University, being shown 14 locations across the city centre.
The BID have joined forces with the Coventry University Grounds Team and Coventry City Council Greening Team to prepare for this year’s competition.
Starting at the Old Grammar School on Hales Street, the group will take in a number of sites including the Priory Visitor Centre, Coventry Cathedral, Coventry University, Greyfriars Green and ending at Finney’s Coffee Company.
Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, deputy leader of the council, said: “The city centre is looking really impressive at the moment and with all the dry weather I know it’s been a bigger challenge than usual. Greyfriars Green is looking really spectacular and I’m sure the judges will be impressed by what they see and by the team who have all worked together to achieve such an impressive display. Green spaces and planting are really important in city centres and I know this year the team has really built on involving the community. I wish them well for the judging.”
Stephen Beasley, grounds manager of Coventry University, added: “This competition has provided us with the rare opportunity to work with a variety of like-minded individuals from across the city, and to showcase our gorgeous green environments. I am delighted with the time and effort that’s been put into this by all parties, and am extremely proud that the university gets to be a part of that. We are sure the judges will be thoroughly impressed with everything Coventry has to offer.”
Coventry will be judged on three key attributes, which are horticulture – which includes the overall impression of the area – the maintenance of planted areas (seasonal displays) and plant selection and quality. Judges will also look at the environment – concerning the local identity, the built environment, and hard surfaces.
And finally, the city will be judged on community, social engagement and how future funding for environmental maintenance can be secured.
Articles courtesy of www.coventryobserver.co.uk/news