Oadby & Wigston aiming for national glory in Britain in Bloom competition

Published: Wednesday, 26 July 2023

Oadby & Wigston has been visited by judges from Britain in Bloom as the borough seeks the top prize against just three other finalists in the ‘small city’ category of the competition.

After striking ‘Gold’at East Midlands in Bloom for the twelfth consecutive year in 2022, the borough was put forward to represent the region on the national stage this summer.

Judges toured the borough today (Wednesday 26 July) in a route designed to showcase horticultural highlights including the University of Leicester Botanic Garden and Brocks Hill Country Park.

As well as the quality and range of floral displays, the judges were also assessing environmental responsibility and local participation, and met with volunteer organisations including Plastic Free Oadby and South Wigston Community Garden to hear about the work they do and the positive impact they have on the local community and environment.

The borough is competing against Derry, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Royal Tunbridge Wells, with results to be revealed at a ceremony in the autumn.

The entry was co-ordinated by Pride of the Borough, a group of individuals, community organisations and neighbourhood groups who all work together to encourage people to take pride in the area. The entry was also supported by Oadby & Wigston Borough Council (OWBC).

Simon Lucas, Chair of Pride of the Borough, said: “This year we are celebrating our 20th anniversary as an organisation, so for Oadby & Wigston to be recognised at this national level against such a high standard of competition is a fantastic acknowledgement of how far we have come.

“It’s also a testament to the sense of community that we have fostered over the past two decades, and to the efforts of all the local groups who get involved with East Midlands in Bloom and our other projects each year – none of our success would be possible without them, nor without the support of the council’s Clean & Green team.”

Oadby & Wigston Borough Councillor, Bill Boulter, said: “Oadby & Wigston is really punching above its weight in achieving national Britain in Bloom recognition. A lot of hard work happens behind the scenes to ensure that our borough looks its best – not just for the competition but for residents to enjoy year-round.

“Individuals, organisations, schools and businesses all came together for this entry exemplifying the community spirit which is so prevalent in Oadby & Wigston, and demonstrated that we are not only proud of our borough by keeping it looking so fantastic, but also by working together to protect our environment and make it a better place for us all to live.

“We all have our fingers crossed for the results in the autumn!”