Blaenau Gwent in Bloom is celebrating a quarter of a century of green fingered fun – and the challenge to entrants this year is to plant mini wildflower meadows throughout the county borough.
The annual gardeners’ competition kicked off with an official launch at the new REGAIN building at The Works:Ebbw Vale, attended by work based learners from the Business Resource Centre and Councillor Brian Scully, the Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration. To sow the seeds of this year’s event, Councillor Scully and the learners prepared the ground and sowed the first mini wildflower meadow. Hopefully, this is just one of many to come.
School pupils from the Ebbw Fawr Learning Community also helped to promote the competition by starting work on their own wildflower meadow, using planters, plants and wildflower seeds donated by ASDA Brynmawr and Carillion. Schools in Blaenau Gwent are now being encouraged to create their own meadows.
You can now pick up an application form for the competition, which has categories including for individuals, schools, businesses and town centres. Forms are available from Aileen Vaughan on 01495 355567, e-mail [email protected] or pick one up from the Civic Centre reception in Ebbw Vale.
This year’s competition will be judged by Welsh TV presenter and writer Lynne Allbutt and judging will take place in the middle of July. An awards presentation will take place in September.
Councillor Brian Scully said: “I’m proud to be able to launch this year’s Blaenau Gwent in Bloom from The Works site. The enthusiasm of these youngsters in helping to transform this former industrial land demonstrates just how much the environment of Blaenau Gwent is improving, with the promise of a brighter future for all. It’s interesting to hear that gardening is being considered as part of the national curriculum for schools. We have recognised the importance of gardening for our young people for years and Blaenau Gwent in Bloom has for the past 25 years ensured that schools have been at the forefront of the competition.
“I would like to thank everyone in advance for taking the time to enter and working hard on their displays and good luck to you all.”
