ORGANISERS of Malvern in Bloom are hoping for some blossoming success as the town bids for its tenth consecutive gold medal.
Malvern has won the top accolade in the Heart of England in Bloom competition nine times in a row and it was awarded a silver-gilt after being put forward to represent the West Midlands at the national Britain in Bloom contest in 2014.
With a reputation for success on the line, Malvern in Bloom chairman John Jordan told the Observer he would be disappointed if the town was not awarded top prize.
“It will be a relief to achieve gold because there is always the worry that you might not do as good as in the past.
“Anything less than gold will feel like a let down because a lot of people work very hard to do their best for Malvern.
“It’s not just about the gardens, this is about all aspects of community involvement in the competition.”
Mr Jordan added the aim was to hopefully get Malvern nominated to represent the West Midlands at the Britain in Bloom competition next year.
Judging for the event started yesterday (Tuesday) as officials from Heart of England started their tour of the town in the Rose Bank Gardens before walking through the Priory Church gardens and taking in some Royal Horticultural Society memorabilia at the library on Graham Road.
The Malvern Hills Trust Pond off Guarlford Road and Barnards Green’s First World War memorial were also on the judges agenda.
Malvern in Bloom organisers were also hoping a piece of wasteland on the Prospect View Medical Centre site which was transformed into a wildlife attraction and walking exercise area for patients would wow the judges.
As the Observer went to press, Mr Jordan said: “The judging went very well as the weather was kind to us and before the judges left they said they were very impressed with the community spirit.”
The results are not expected to be announced until September as judges are currently visiting similar large towns in Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Birmingham.
However, plans are already underway for next year’s England in Bloom competition with the Malvern Civic Society organising a Victorian house garden contest as well as creating a wildlife area at Malvern Link Railway Station.
“We always want to keep improving Malvern so we can show judges we have listened to their recommendations,” Mr Jordan added.
