Tony Percival, Chairman Nantwich in Bloom Committee.

Mark Betteley and Tony Percival gave an interesting account of The Nantwich In Bloom Voluntary Working Group

Nantwich in Bloom is a small group of volunteers working to enhance an already beautiful town by encouraging the wider community to assist and take pride in our efforts. We are a local, not-for profit organisation, the members of which offer their time and energies for the benefit of the town, for its residents and visitors alike.

Our organisation was established, in Nantwich, some 35 years ago, since the mid 1970s, concentrating our efforts mainly on planting flowers. The current portfolio of activities includes, tree planting, sowing wild flowers, creating wildlife habitats, countryside crafts and litter picking. This year we are joining the Royal Horticultural Society in celebrating 50 years of Britain in Bloom..

Nantwich in Bloom operates through a committee comprising:-

ChairmanTony Percival

ViceChairmanTom Deans

Vice ChairmanMark Betteley

SecretarySue Hughes

TreasurerMark Betteley

MembersJean Hallam,David Smith, Steve Otter, Sue Sherwood,Val Fletcher

Christine Farrell - (Mayor of Nantwich Town Council)

Norma Simpson - (Councillor Nantwich Town Council)

Our Basic objectives are as follows:

To encourage the participation and support of local residents to make positive and lasting improvements to the environment of Nantwich;

To work in partnership with other organisations and societies with similar objectives;

To co ordinate the town's participation in various competitions concerned with the objectives of the association, including "Britain in Bloom";

To conduct fundraising activities, actively seeking grants, sponsorship and other funding from local authorities and businesses as appropriate in order to fund our objectives.

Our group regularly attend planting and weeding sessions around the town and undertake other activities including: Designing and sourcing compost, plants and equipment for displays.

Organising community participation events, such as working parties with school groups, youth groups or business volunteers.

Planning and publicising fundraising events,

Generating local publicity through posters, leaflets, presentations and even radio interviews

Litter picking and other environmental clean-ups

Removing waste and making compost

Creating wildlife gardens, wildflower meadows

Coordinating local allotment competitions

Caring for conservation areas such as Coed Wen on the Shrewbridge Road.

"The overall impression of Nantwich is of a clean, tidy and welcoming town full of colour. Large sections of the community have either taken part in or made other contributions to a very high standard of floral display." A Statement from RHS Britain in Bloom judges

Achievements

Nantwich with the support of the Town Council and the local community have regularly entered into the "Britain in Bloom" competitions and have won awards, particularly in the North West, on numerous occasions.

In the last 10 years we have been awarded the accolade of "Best Town in the North West" on no fewer than eight occasions and in 2004, 2006, 2008 and again in 2011 we were nominated to represent the North West in the RHS national finals of the "Britain in Bloom" competition.

•      In 2014 we achieved Gold Medal status in the North West in Bloom awards

•      In 2013 we achieved Gold Medal Status in the North West in Bloom Awards, we also won the coveted Biodiversity Award presented by the Mayor of Preston and the Arriva Trains "Best in Bloom" Station award.

•In 2012 we were awarded a "Silver Gilt" in the RHS UK "Britain in Bloom" finals and a Gold Medal winner in the "North West in Bloom"competition

•       In 2011 we were awarded the "Best Town in the North West" and nominated to represent the North West in the RHS UK " Britain in Bloom" finals.

•       In 2010 we were awarded Silver Gilt in North West in Bloom, awards also included, Community Pride: BestTown in Cheshire, Overall Champion of Cheshire, Little Gem Award for Volunteers and Cheshire
Best Kept Station Awards.

•       In 2009 we were again nominated as the "Best Town in the NorthWest".

•       In 2008 we were nominated to represent the North West in the UK Britain in Bloom finals where we achieved the Silver Gilt award, also we won the Community Pride "Best Town in Cheshire" and also the
"Best kept garden in the Best kept Railway Station".

In 2006 the judges presented the town with a Silver Gilt award in the UK Britain in Bloom finals, which is second only to Gold.

In 2004 the judges presented the town a silver award in the UK Britain in Bloom Finals.