North West in Bloom | 2020 Cancelled

North West Britain in Bloom/

It's Your Neighbourhood have been cancelled.

To all North West Britain in Bloom / Its Your Neighbourhood Entrants 2020,

I hope you are all keeping well in these challenging times.

I am very sorry to tell you that we are suspending North West Britain in Bloom / Its Your neighbourhood for 2020.

This decision has not been taken lightly. We know how much hard work you have already put in and we know how much joy the campaign brings to people, but the health and wellbeing of the volunteers, communities and judges is the most important thing.

The RHS has been closely following the Government’s latest guidance and the ongoing situation with COVID-19 and suspension of the campaign for this year is in keeping with their wider decision making.

We know that many of you will be very disappointed about this decision but the team here will spend the next few months working out how we can make the Bloom programme stronger and more sustainable in the future.

We know the amazing community spirit you work so hard to cultivate all year round will be very important to people in the difficult times ahead and invaluable in the UK’s recovery from this situation, so I hope you are really proud of all you have built through community gardening.

If you have already sent us your application form and payment for Britain in Bloom we will keep your entry form and the fee for your entry next year. For IYN entries where there is no fee involved we will keep a record of your entry for next year.

If you have already sent us your application form and payment for Britain in Bloom we can either reimburse you or keep the fee for your entry next year. Please let me know by e-mail what you prefer. Obviously for IYN entries this does not apply.

As Bloomers we are the lucky ones who already know the healing power of plants and gardening. Here at the RHS we hope to share this knowledge with others who will need some positivity in the coming months – so please do keep an eye on our communication channels for tips and ideas on gardening in social isolation/distancing scenarios. And please do share any ideas that you have too!

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at North West in Bloom. We will not be in the office but will check e-mails regularly.

Please do take care, we hope you will all keep in touch with us and let us know how you are doing.

With best wishes,

Bill Blackledge, MBE