Gardeners growing for gold once more

Jul 28 2010 By Hannah Williams , Buckinghamshire Examiner

gardenersgrowingforgold

AMERSHAM is going for gold again in the Britain in Bloom competition.

Judging for the contest, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, took place last Thursday and Amersham hopes to win the top award for the second year running.

Judges Kate Dagnall and Ben Stanesby visited the floral displays in the Memorial Gardens in the Old Town and the winning entries of the town council's own contest.

Last year Amersham achieved a gold award and won the chance to host this year's regional awards ceremony, which will be held at St Mary's Church, in the Old Town, in September.

Among the other picturesque sites the judges visited were the wildflower meadow at the cemetery, the signature flowerbeds designed by local children and one marking the centenary year of the girl guides.

They also were given a presentation by pupils at Chestnut Lane School, which had received an Eco Schools Green Flag award for its environmental work.

Councillor Ros Aitken, chairman of the council's community services committee, said a record number of people have become involved in this year's contest.

She said: "For any campaign to be successful, it needs commitment, it needs support and, more importantly, it needs direct community involvement. Over the past four years, we have steadily made improvements but our greatest success has been the fact that we have heightened awareness of the need to get involved.

"When one looks at the progress and efforts made by local schools, particularly Chestnut Lane, to educate and emphasise the benefits of caring for the environment, you know our future is in good hands."