With the Government stressing the need for communities to be involved in the ‘big society’ I feel that this has helped to highlight the Britain in Bloom Campaign and the It’s Your Neighbourhood Campaign’ which, are both strongly linked to community involvement. North West in Bloom prides ourselves on the wonderful work the local communities are carrying out to improve their neighbourhoods, cities, towns, villages, and urban communities, and, the overall improvement is there for everyone to see. I have however always felt that the most important factor is that the campaign is helping to bring communities together again.

With a substantial increase in entries in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards’, the figure which now stands at just under four hundred entries, and, also, a slight increase in the entries for North West in Bloom has certainly kept the North West panel of judges very active throughout the summer months and, I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all the judges for their splendid work.

The vast increase in entries resulted in this year’s Presentation Ceremonies being the largest in the history of North West in Bloom with, over twelve hundred people attending the Ceremonies. And, again, all three Ceremonies were well received. And, I would like to take this opportunity of thanking The Southport Convention Centre for providing both excellent facilities and staffing. I would also like to thank the North West in Bloom Projects Manager John Billsborough for producing an excellent screen display, and last but by no means least Trevor Leese the North West Regional Organiser for coordinating the Presentation Ceremonies.

Holding the post of Chairman of North West in Bloom is certainly a great honour and I would like to thank all our entrants for the splendid work being carried out in improving their own areas and also the North West Region. I would also like to thank all the Housing Associations who are working closely with communities in their areas to improve their neighbourhoods. Also a big thank you to Local Authorities, City Councils, Metropolitan Boroughs and, all private sponsors, for their continued support. I would also like to thank The Royal Horticultural Society who coordinate the National Britain in Bloom Campaign and, who the North West work very closely with. Finally again, many thanks to the North West in Bloom Committee and judges for promoting North West in Bloom.

With regards to sponsorship North West in Bloom is an independently financed region and is one of eighteen regions which form the National Britain in Bloom Competition and is administered by the Royal Horticultural Society. Being an independent region we do rely on sponsorship from private companies and organisations plus donations from Housing Associations. City Borough and Local Authorities and any companies interested in sponsorship would be offered the following package;

Exhibition space at the annual two day presentation ceremonies
Which, in 2010 were attended by over twelve hundred guests

Tickets for the Presentation Ceremonies

Links to the North West in Bloom web site

Company Trophy to be presented to specific category award winners

If further information is required regarding sponsorship please contact the North West Regional Organiser – Trevor Leese.

Bill Blackledge
Chairman - North West in Bloom