|
The
Ross-in-Bloom team are very busy at the moment, working
out the competitions they intend to hold for the coming
Summer. They are also making plans for the annual Heart
of England in Bloom Campaign, which in 2005 Ross won gold.
It would be wonderful if the town could match that this
year.
Certain
categories are judged automatically and therefore do not
need to be entered. These categories are: front gardens,
commercials, guesthouses, inns, restaurants and hotels as
well as baskets, planters and containers. The initial judging
for these will commence during the last week in June, with
at least three visits being made between then and the end
of July by various sets of judges. Ross-in-Bloom would like
to remind all gardeners that the committee are governed
by the laws of trespass and will only be able to judge what
can be seen from the road or pavements.
For
those who wish to enter the other competitions, there is
no automatic re-entry from last year's competition. New
entry forms are available from Ross Heritage Centre which
must be completed and returned to Mary Sinclair-Powell by
15th June.
These
competitions are:
Retired/Disabled Individual Garden, Retired/Disabled Community
Garden; Secret Garden for pubs, hotels, shops, etc. that
have a private garden with public access, Best Street for
six or more dwellings or businesses in a group, the Window
Dressing Competition and The Childrens' Competition which
is 'Make a Garden on a Tray' this year. All of these will
be judged in July and August except for the latter, which
will be judged in June.
All
competitions are judged on a percentage mark, which means
everybody has an equal chance of winning a Gold, Silver
Gilt, Silver or Bronze award. Ross-in-Bloom would like to
remind everybody that the colour scheme for Ross this year
is red, white and blue.
The
results are based on the following within 5 categories,
which can gain a maximum of 10 marks each. Below are some
pointers which may help you to gain a few extra marks this
year.
a.
Wow Factor - This being the immediate effect on the judges
when they see the garden for the first time.
b. Good use of space available including height - this
levels the playing field between large and small gardens.
c. Good use of colour - this includes the use of the town
colours. A garden full of plants of one colour can look
very bland. One bed or basket with one colour can give
that instant wow factor using a mixture of colours across
the whole area.
d. Good mix of plants - this shows that the gardener looks
after wildlife in the area as different types of animal
and bird life thrive on different diets. The odd small
patch of nettles, for instance, encourages butterflies.
e. Good use of recycling, conservation, water retaining
plants etc. - the latter is going to be a must in years
to come if the long hot summers continue. The overall
winner last year won by one point because they had not
watered their lawn. We also look for bird tables and feeders,
bird baths, insect habitats (including perhaps a small
pile of old logs for them to live in)
f. Lack of weeds and litter - new litter can be ignored
as it probably will have blown in overnight. However,
old weather worn litter, large weeds, dead weeds and a
general unkempt look can lose points, as can the amount
of weeds and litter on the immediate area under hedges
and walls on the boundary of the garden. Bags put out
for recycling and the rubbish collections that day are
ignored. Life goes on.
g. Bio Diversity with wild flowers areas and perhaps planting
fruit and vegetables amongst the flowers can also gain
a few points.
h. Good maintenance and perhaps all year round gardens
can gain a few more points.
On
the whole a good all round garden, which looks as though
the people of Ross-on-Wye care for their environment, gets
recognition with an award.
The
Heart of England judges will be visiting Ross in July, the
date is yet to be arranged. This is a great opportunity
for everybody to show off their town and encourage visitors
to return, year after year.
Litter,
graffiti and fly posting is a very serious problem in Ross.
Everyone is encouraged to help Ross-in-Bloom by removing
these eyesores when they see them.
This
year, Ross-in-Bloom are encouraging shops and businesses
to join in the 'History of Ross Shops' project as well as
dressing their windows with a festive air. Perhaps you may
have bunting or flags you can put outside your premises
for the summer months if you cannot put out baskets or containers.
If
you would like further information on anything relating
to Ross-in-Bloom or if you would like to offer help in some
way please contact Mary on 01989 563956 before 8pm or Margaret
Lucas at Lucas Motorcycles in Brookend Street. Help in any
form, not necessarily plant orientated, will be most welcome.
If you can spare just one hour a day or even just one hour
per month, your help will be greatly appreciated.
|
