CORNWALL IN BLOOM 2012

Our association entered a Cornwall council initiative way back in May of this year called Cornwall in Bloom in which community groups were encouraged to apply for judging by an RHS qualified official. The categories that interested us were 'grow your own' and 'first impressions' as if I say so myself, when one enters our pretty, mature tree surrounded site for the first time, it is a visual treat if that visitor has the remotest interest in ideal growing conditions.

After being inspected thoroughly by a friendly lady judge called Manti in early August when the site couldn't have looked or been maintained any better, I felt a little optimistic when attending the award ceremony at the Eden project. This was on the evening of Thursday 18th October and I hoped that we may get some recognition for our efforts in turning a rough field full of brambles, bracken and weed into a thriving, productive allotment site that so many get pleasure from.

Our hard working committee, l-r Jim,Neil,Mike,Billy,lower Ruth,Glynis, Cathy

The Gallery at Eden was packed with over 200 gardeners and growers from all over Cornwall and the evening was opened by Tracy Wilson, a radio Cornwall DJ who kept us all amused with her quips all through the ceremony.
We were presented with a 'Full Bloom' framed certificate which meant we were good enough to be considered for the overall category winner for 'Grow your own' award. The 'first impression' category was won by Hayle town for their flora and fauna so that was not to be ours.

It then came to the 'Grow your own' category winner announcement and Tracy turned to our table and our 7 committee members and said in a loud voice,
"The winners are..........................Lanhydrock allotment association"                  Yes!!!! it was a long walk across the front stage , my good lady and I gulping in pride and pleasure to collect the award from the official who shook my hand and said, 'well deserved!'
All our committee took to the stage as well to a lot of applause, to receive an array of prizes, a huge shield engraved with our associations's name for 2012, a smaller shield that we can keep, a framed certificate confirming our category winner status and a £250 cheque. Plus an RHS guide to 'Britain in bloom' which we may be encouraged to enter next year. We then had 2 or 3 photos taken as we left the stage and I hope these may feature in a press release in future.

Our group were now on a real high, so pleased to scoop this award having only been open for 30 months and we couldn't wait to inform all our members of our success, it is a real prestigious award in this county which we will be crowing about for 12 months now. The standard has been set and we will be striving to retain the shield in 2013 and with our friendly, helpful community we may just do that! It's not just help from the committee but the tenants pitch in for a shift on occasions too, we all love our little bit of nature, our sanctuary some say.