City in Bloom 2014: Celebrating growing communities

Brighton and Hove in Bloom is a voluntary-run organisation that runs citywide gardening competitions for the benefit of the wider community.

Brighton and Hove in Bloom is a voluntary-run organisation that runs citywide gardening competitions for the benefit of the wider community. It also works towards improving the appearance of localities for the benefit of residents and businesses and those who visit the city.

It actively addresses the problem of unsightly areas and promotes good practice in environmental accountability. Supporters encourage all sectors of the community to take part with a view to increasing neighbourly pride.

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Brighton and Hove City in Bloom came about because of cuts in council support in 2011, when the competition categories had dwindled because of administration costs.

It worked with the council to keep the In group on track and - after having been given a one-off council grant - subsequently took over the whole process of City in Bloom from the council.

Organisers have had enormous support from the business community and are now running 11 competitions and an annual award ceremony - each of which is sponsored, thanks to the generosity of local businesses.

They work with other interested groups to promote community spirit from entering the "Best Hanging Basket" category through to "Best Community Garden".

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Brighton and Hove in Bloom has been instrumental in entering Woodvale Cemetery in the regional Royal Horticultural Society's South and South East in Bloom competition, which is holding its annual prize-giving event at the American Express Community Stadium in September.

The categories for City in Bloom competitions are:

Best front garden - sponsored by Providence Carpentry, with prizes of £100, £50 and £25, for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, respectively;

Best basement - sponsored by Harvey Jones Kitchens, with prizes of £100, £50 and £25;

Best window box - sponsored by Brightspace, with prizes of £50, £30 and £20;

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Best hanging basket - sponsored by Clearstone Resin Surfacing, with prizes of £50, £30 and £20;

Best street - sponsored by Brighton Marina, with prizes of £100, £50 and £25;

Best commercial frontage - sponsored by Priors Letting and Estate Agents, with prizes of £100, £50 and £25;

Best licensed premises - sponsored by Visit Brighton, with prizes being one-year, six-month and three-month membership of Visit Brighton;

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Best wildilife garden - sponsored by Infinity Food Co-operative, with prizes being £100, £50 and £25;

Best-kept allotment - sponsored by RJ Meaker Fencing, with prizes of £100, £50 and £25;

Best primary school garden - sponsored by Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, with prizes of £100, £50 and £25;

Best community garden - sponsored by Brighton and Hove Food Partnership, with prizes of £100, £50 and £25.

The prize-giving ceremony, to be held at the Thistle Hotel in Brighton in September, is sponsored by McGill Garden Services.

For more information, visit: www.brightonandhovecityinbloom.co.uk