Halesowen in Bloom organiser: 'We couldn’t have done any more'

Halesowen are one of 76 community gardening groups who are battling it out in the final of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) contest, where the team are hoping to claim victory in the ‘Urban Community’ category.

Three RHS assessors were judging the town across a range of criteria that includes horticultural know-how, community engagement, efforts to bolster biodiversity and climate change adaptation.

After the judges departed, Eve O’Connor, chairman of Halesowen in Bloom, told the News: “It’s been a really enjoyable morning.

“We’ve been on a tour around Halesowen and met with the volunteers and all the community groups who have contributed to make Halesowen in Bloom such a successful project.

“I feel we have made a massive difference to the community here and that’s all thanks to the volunteers and contributors who have taken their time to make Halesowen a marvellous place.

“Halesowen in Bloom is not just about flowers, it’s the glue that brings all the different community groups of the town who do different things together.

“It brings civic pride to the community groups who use the event to celebrate the work they do throughout the year.”

But it will be a nervous wait for the In Bloom team to find out if they were successful in their bid for glory as the competition results aren’t announced until October.

Eve added: “The results are on October 19 in Belfast, but we couldn’t have done any more than we’v done.

“Whatever the result we feel like we are winners already, because the town itself is looking fantastic and the community cohesion has been great to see.”

Also on hand to guide the judges around her town was Deputy Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Hilary Bills, who said: “It has been wonderful. The weather had been lovely and Halesowen looks beautiful.

“Everyone has been on their best behaviour and have showcased the town to the judges really well.

“There have been a couple of people who are involved who have unfortunately not been here today but that was due to illness, so that is something that you can't plan for.

“But it has been a really good day and the judges will have a tough decision to make.”

Speaking at St John’s Church after the judging had finished, the Mayor of Dudley and Halesowen councillor Alan Taylor said: “I must say the town is looking nice and tidy, especially with the heatwave we have been having and this is down to the people who have been out watering, tending, and looking after the beautiful flowers.

“On behalf of the people of Halesowen, I would like to thank all the volunteers who have done a fantastic job.

“I also need to thank the committee – especially Eve who has done a wonderful job for the past five years to help organise all the volunteers and keep Halesowen in Bloom going year after year.”