Aldwick gardeners take on the cities

Gardeners in Aldwick will be testing their skills this summer against the residents of two of the biggest cities in the country.

The parish will be taking part in its latest Britain in Bloom campaign. But many of its rivals in the urban community of the 2009 contest run by the Royal Horticultural Society are very different in size and environment.

The opponents are Birmingham and Manchester city centres, Dulwich (London), Eston (Middlesborough), Kippax (Leeds), Moor (Oxmoor, Huntingdon), Port Marine and Village Quarter (Portishead) and Uddingston (Glasgow).

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But Delia Jones, Aldwick in Bloom's co-ordinator, said she was confident her supporters would again live up to their reputation as one of the most attractive areas in the country.

"I really care about where I live and Aldwick is a very special place," she stated. "We are very proud of it and have a preservation society, conservation group and allotments.

"Flowers and plants make people talk to each other and they make for good friends and neighbours."

Aldwick qualified for the latest Britain in Bloom after again excelling in last year's South and South East in Bloom competition. This will be the area's third entry into the national event.

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The judges are likely to visit in the early summer. They will assess community efforts and care for the environment as well as front gardens and public open spaces such as Marine Park Gardens.

They will award Aldwick either gold, silver gilt, silver or bronze status at a ceremony in September. Each competitor is assessed separately rather than put into a league table for the category.