Britain in Bloom

from EBC today, Autumn 2022

New Arts Trail

Final countdown

It’s been a summer of colour and now all fingers are crossed for an autumn of celebration as Erewash awaits the results of the prestigious Britain in Bloom and East Midlands in Bloom competitions.

This year’s planting displays centred on the Platinum Jubilee theme with Union Jack displays of red, white and blue.

It’s a date!

Seeds of success

Ilkeston welcomed the national RHS Bloom judges to the town in the summer after being shortlisted in the UK finals as one of eight of the best large towns in the country. Now the town eagerly awaits the results, which are due to be announced on 10 October. It was a huge honour for Ilkeston to be up against the other finalists Dunstable, Workington, Congleton, Farnham, Portishead, Prestatyn and Mirfield.

Judges were taken on a threehour tour of the town to take in this year’s stunning floral extravaganza as well as visiting the Local Nature Reserves, viewing the park and carpet bedding displays, talking to local schoolchildren committed to keeping the town looking good and meeting the many enthusiastic and hardworking Friends Group volunteers.

Erewash is bidding to be a champion borough again in this year’s East Midlands in Bloom competition, with results on schedule to be confirmed on 21 September.

Both Ilkeston and Long Eaton struck gold in the annual competition last year and it’s hoped both towns will retain their medal-winning performance in the 2022 Large Town Category – which would be a salute to the council’s parks teams and the community volunteers who provide such valuable support.

• Results of the Erewash in Bloom gardening competition for residents - which helped provide colour and a feel-good factor in the borough – will be announced at a presentation at Morley Hayes on 7 October.

Family play

Two new play areas were officially opened in the borough in time for the school holidays.

The design for the Petersham play area on Briar Gate in Long Eaton was chosen by local residents and children from local schools and includes a variety of different swings, equipment for both toddlers and children, a wheelchair friendly roundabout, and a fun hammock! There is also bow top fencing and hydraulic self-closing gates.

Funded by Erewash Borough Council, the site was officially launched by Councillor Garry Hickton, Lead Member for Environment.

The all-new Larklands play area in Ilkeston also had a summertime opening by the Mayor of Erewash, Councillor John Sewell, and Councillor Paul Maginnis, Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing. Children from Larklands Infant and Kensington Junior schools were there after they helped choose the design.