Britain in Bloom judges see North Somerset volunteers’ work

Dedicated volunteers have been working around the clock to ensure Portishead looks its best for the national Britain in Bloom competition.

South West in Bloom judges Terry Porter and Carol Wride arrived in Portishead yesterday to take a three-hour tour of the town and see the work carried out by Portishead in Bloom.

The group – launched in 1996 – and for the last three years the town has won a gold medal in the annual South West in Bloom competition.

The group has also secured gold medals at the national competitions, competing against large cities including Birmingham.

The judges were taken on a tour of the town, taking in sights such as Rodmoor Gardens, Portishead Open Air Pool and the viewing point at Woodlands Road.

They also visited the marina, the Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve and Trinity Primary School and were taken to see the new silver birch trees planted at Roath Road in tribute to Portishead war veteran Tommy Broom.

The judges also enjoyed a performance by North Somerset Community Brass which played in the park at Port Marine by the Spanish Steps.

Volunteers have been working around the clock to prepare the town ready for the judging visit, putting in more than 100 hours of their time during the month ahead of the judges’ visit.

This year's colour theme for the town is hot pinks, lilac and burgundy and all of the tubs and planters have been filled with colourful blooms.

Volunteers worked late into the night on Wednesday and were out early yesterday morning carrying out last minute litter picks ahead of the judging.

Portishead in Bloom chairman, Sandy Tebbutt, said: “It takes a tremendous amount of time and energy to get the town looking its best and we have been working closely with North Somerset Council.

“The Royal Horticultural Society lay down a number of criteria for the judging including litter, community involvement and residential and community gardens as well as commercial and business premises and we do our best to meet all these.”

Mrs Tebbutt warned that the number of volunteers on the group had dwindled to around a dozen.

And she appealed for more people to come forward and help.

Mrs Tebbutt said: “At the moment it is hard to envisage how the group is going to survive.

“But we will continue to do our best and hope new volunteers will come forward.”Anyone who wants to get involved should contact Mrs Tebbutt on 01275 843566.