Britain in Bloom

The Lancashire market town has scooped the top award in the prestigious Entente Florale competition which judges towns and villages across Europe on their flora and vegetation, local environment and tourism impact.

Just six short weeks ago an international jury spent a day discovering everything the town had to offer and it was a nail-biting wait for the result which was revealed this weekend (Friday 19 September) at a gala night in the Croatian capital of Split.

It is an accolade that will now be shared and celebrated by the whole community who put in more than 2,500 man hours to ensure the town was looking its best for the jurors' visit back in August. In deciding the result, they commented that the floral enhancement in Garstang was excellent and not too overpowering. They were also astounded by the amount of community involvement and the crowds of people who lined the streets during their visit. Shopkeepers were also praised for opening up specially despite Wednesday being half-day closing.

It's Gold for Garstang

Other elements that caught the jurors' eye were the environmental and conservation techniques used to manage the Millennium Green and the bio-diversity of the Lancaster Canal that runs through the town.

Garstang was one of only two UK entries hand-picked by the Royal Horticultural Society to compete against 11 other countries after consistently winning gold in previous Britain in Bloom competitions. Plymouth fared almost as well by picking up a silver award.

Councillor Russell Forsyth, Leader of Wyre Borough Council, was delighted with the result. He said: "To win gold in such a prestigious competition is an amazing achievement and one that the whole of Garstang can be proud of.

"From the very beginning the Entente Florale captured the imagination of everyone involved in the town and what followed was a superb show of community spirit. We've seen young and old, businesses and residents put in months and months of sheer hard work to prepare for the jury's visit and today that unprecedented effort was duly rewarded.

"This gold standard confirms what we've always believed - that Garstang's environment is simply the best. Now it's official and heralded across Europe, there's a huge potential for attracting more visitors and even businesses to the area.

"Congratulations to everyone who was involved in securing this wonderful accolade."

Garstang in Bloom

Garstang has been participating in Britain in Bloom since 1987. Winning "Gold" again in the Britain-in-Bloom competition this year has given the town an opportunity to take part in the 2008 European Entente Florale. This is an extremely prestigious competition, in which only two towns (Plymouth being the other) will represent the UK in Europe. Garstang is looking forward to this new challenge and will be encouraging as many people as possible join the "bloomers" to help (in any way they can) in this very exciting year ahead.

How Did We Get Here?

In 2006 we were first time regular, regional and national small town champions. Garstang were selected for Champion of Champions but were pipped at the post in 2006 and again in 2007.

This process has involved the whole community working together as a partnership, encouraging all ages, even the tots who attend pre-school to take part. We have become involved because we are proud of Garstang. Our successes have a spin-off in that they encourage visitors to come to our attractive market town situated in Red Rose County of Lancashire in North West England.

Our community has been successful for many years its achievements are:

1990 - Rolls Royce Award Best Commercial Effort
1992 - Third in the Urban Community

SMALL COUNTRY TOWN

1994 - First in the North West Region
1995 - First in the North West Region
1996 - First in the North West Region
1997 - First in the Prize North West Region and National Finalist
1998 - First in the Prize North West Region
1999 - First in the North West Region and Clean Sweep Award
2000 - First in the North West Region and National Finalists
2001 - First in the North West Region
2002 - First in the National Finals + RHS GOLD MEDAL

SMALL TOWN

2003 - First in the North West Region
2004 - First in the North West Region
2005 - First in the National Finals + RHS GOLD MEDAL
2006 - First in the North West Region + Commercial Award + Individual Bio-diversity Award
2006 - Second in the National 'Champion of Champions' + RHS GOLD MEDAL
2007 - Second in the National 'Champion of Champions' + RHS GOLD MEDAL
2007 - First in the North West Region + a Merit in the "Neighbourhood Awards" for Garstang's Kepple Lane residents.

The above successes speak volumes about the sustained enthusiasm, industry and support of the Garstang in Bloom Steering Committee (led throughout the past twenty years by the dynamic Norah Hoyles), the community volunteers (the 'Bloomers'), the commercial sponsors and the ever-supportive Wyre Borough Council.

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