Green-fingered enthusiasts in Sudbury are being urged to “take pride” in their town by entering an annual floral competition.
The Pride of Sudbury awards, which was previously run by the town council, is now organised and run by Sudbury in Bloom volunteers – who arrange everything from its promotion, judging and the presentation night.
All the prizes have been donated by 13 local businesses, with a top prize of £200, and organisers hope that this year’s event will be the best ever.
Categories include Best Kept Garden, Best Community Garden and Best Amateur Photograph and they will be judged on strength of design, floral content, imagination and encouragement of wildlife and conservation.
There is also a new category of Best Family Vegetable Patch this year, which organisers hope will encourage more children to get involved.
The deadline for entries has been now been extended to July 13 and people can collect an entry form from the town hall or download a copy from the town council website.
Andy Howes, Sudbury in Bloom events organiser, said he is hoping the community really get behind the competition.
“We are trying to encourage as many people as possible in the community to get involved,” he said.
“Most ‘In Bloom’ organisations focus on front and back gardens, hanging baskets and perhaps wild gardens, but we are really trying to get people from sheltered accomodation and schools involved.
“We will have a presentation night in September, with catering from the Bridge Project, so once again we’re trying to involve the whole community.”
Volunteers from Sudbury in Bloom managed to plant 1,200 plants around the town at the start of the month, and Mr Howes said the Anglia in Bloom judges would be visiting the town next week.
“We know we’re not ready this year,” he said. “But we’ve said to the judges, come and have a look and give us feedback so we can improve for next year.
“Sudbury is a brilliant place and a great town to build a project where everyone can be involved.”
More information about the Pride of Sudbury floral competition is available from www.sudburytowncouncil.co.uk
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