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eBay Sponsors Bloom Campaign

20th August 2010

Richmond Borough in Bloom has secured a major sponsorship deal with eBay which will run for three years. It will help to fund the popular gardening competitions, further enhancement of the streetscene and the development of special new projects.

The first of these is the installation of newly planted flowerbeds and hanging baskets at the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice in Hampton, designed to enhance the frontage welcome and the central leisure area for the children and their families.

Pictured viewing the new floral displays this week (August 19th) are (left to right):
Brian Stewart, interim Chief Executive, Shooting Star Children’s Hospice; Emily Mayer, Hospice PR & Communications Officer; Pat Schooling, chair, Richmond Borough in Bloom; the Mayor, Cllr David Marlow; Douglas McCallum eBay’s Senior Vice President, Europe, and Reg Leach, Parks Operations Manager, LBRUT.

The Bloom campaign, run by an independent community group representing all parts of the borough and working in co-operation with the Council, is now celebrating 20 years of running competitions for residents, businesses and schools.

Pat Schooling, chair of the Bloom committee: “Our various activities have always depended on sponsorship and from the start we have been supported by Squire’s Garden Centre, the RFU and Serco who, for the past six years provided additional generous funding which enabled us to widen our campaign.

We are very fortunate that this major role is now being undertaken by eBay. One of the further developments we can now put in place will be help for schools to make the best use of their grounds as part of the curriculum, to encourage chiildren to become aware of and appreciate their natural environment. We are also aiming to double the number of hanging baskets that beautify our high streets.”

Douglas McCallum of eBay: “As a local employer, we’re delighted to be involved with the Bloom campaign, The Great River Race and the Thames Landscape Project. They make a clear difference to the community and are part of what attracted us to the area in the first place.

With more and more of our employees becoming parents themselves, we’re especially delighted to be able to do something special for the Shooting Star kids and their families.”

The Shooting Star Hospice supports local families with children and young adults who have life-limiting conditions. Find out more at www.shootingstar.org.uk.

Gardening Awards Announced

1st August 2010

This year’s results and photos can be found here and schools results here.

Judging the School Gardening Trophy Gets Underway

17th June 2010

Conservation, sustainability and creative planning is the formula to win the Richmond Borough in Bloom School Gardening Trophy, sponsored by Squire’s Garden Centre.

The Bloom campaign last year relaunched its school gardening award to encompass all aspects of the usage of school grounds as a teaching and learning resource. Pupil participation, encouraging children to appreciate their learning environment, is a key element.

Marks are awarded for usage of the grounds, layout (such as wildlife area, sensory garden, project work and compost) and management including adult volunteers. In addition to the trophy, Squire’s garden vouchers to the value of £100, £75 and £50 go to the top three places and other entries considered of high standard are awarded a Certificate of Endeavour. Last year’s trophy winner was Archdeacon Cambridge School.

This month (June) the judges set off to inspect the grounds of 20 borough schools who have entered this year. The judges are Geoff Hyde, chairman of London in Bloom; Reg Leach, Parks Operations Manager, and Colin Cooper of Richmond Environment Network. Our pictures show them at East Sheen Primary School. The award winners will be invited to a special presentation by the Mayor on June 30 at York House.

Young gardening enthusiasts Amelia and Philippa East Sheen Primary School teacher Helen Oakley with Geoff Hyde, Colin Squire, Reg Leach and Colin Cooper East Sheen Primary School teacher Helen Cooper with Borough in Bloom judges Geoff Hyde and Colin Cooper

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2010 Poster Competition Announced

28th April 2010

The overall winner has been chosen. Head over to the Poster Competition page for full details of the winner and all runner-up awards.

2010 Poster Competition Launched

9th February 2010

This year’s poster competition has officially been launched! Head over to the competition page to download the entry form if you wish to enter.

Bloom Awards for Richmond Borough

26th September 2009

Richmond upon Thames is one of 32 London Boroughs which enter for the London in Bloom awards, which encompass all the borough’s open spaces, high streets, gardens and buildings. The Borough has won awards in the past (a Silver Gilt for the last two years) but 2009 has turned out to be its best ever.

Richmond achieved the Gold Standard for its mainstream entry into London in Bloom. In its category of City Group A, it was second (but only by a very marginal decision) to the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea who also had Gold. The overall Borough Winner was Islington (from Category B).

Richmond also was the Category Winner for Town Centres under 1 sq km with Twickenham, with a silver-gilt award.

The London in Bloom Biodiversity Award (sponsored by London Wildlife Trust) was awarded to Richmond.

The Terrace Gardens, Richmond were awarded Category Winner and Gold in the Parks/Large Public Garden category.

Second place in the Denys Hodder Business Premises Award went to Church Street, Twickenham.

There were awards under the RHS Neighbourhoods Campaign to entries from Richmond for Ham United Group.

Richmond Borough in Bloom is proud to play a part in helping Richmond Borough Council to achieve these remarkable standards. We congratulate the Council on winning these well-deserved awards. Who would doubt that floral display and the maintenance of our open spaces contributes greatly to the pleasure of all who live in, work in and visit this beautiful borough. For further information visit www.londoninbloom.com.