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Smethwick In Bloom
Windmills explains the history & goals of the “Smethwick in Bloom” campaign.
Campaign Mission
“To encourage communities to improve and regenerate their local environments, creating a more beautiful Britain through imaginative planting of trees, shrubs and flowers, attractive landscaping, conservation and recycling projects, and to sweep away the eyesores that blight the streets such as litter, graffiti and vandalism.”
Background
- Roy Hay MBE noticed the “Fleurissement de France” a make-France-more beautiful campaign while on holiday. Once home, with the support of other organisations, Roy set up a campaign to develop a home-grown version.
- Britain in Bloom was established in 1963.
- It encourages communities to “create long term, sustainable improvements to their local environments for the benefit of local people and visitors, now and in the future”.
- Judging takes place in July and awards are announced at a presentation event in September.
Benefits
- Increase in civic pride due to local people taking on planning and management of local environment.
- Long-term improvement of local environment through planting, floral displays and high levels of cleanliness.
- Boost to local economy, increase in tourism, commerce and even house prices.
- Significant regeneration of disadvantaged areas.
- Stimulation of voluntary workers and co-operation between local authorities and residents.
- Issues addressed include sustainability, recycling, waste minimisation and energy conservation.
Published on 30 April 2006 at 12:11