Market Harborough In Bloom Celebrates 30 Years as Judges Visit

Market Harborough In Bloom welcomed judges from the East Midlands in Bloom competition today as the group celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Volunteers are hoping to retain the Large Town title for a fifth consecutive year, with more than 2,700 plants featuring in displays across the town.

Judges during the tour of Welland Park with Barbara Tallis from Market Harborough in Bloom, Buddy Anderson, Chairman of Harborough District Council and Richard Moss from Harborough District Council contractor FCC

The four-hour judging tour took in areas including the town centre, Market Harborough railway station, Little Bowden Bowling Club, Union Wharf, the Friendship Park, Welland Park and Ridgeway Primary Academy.

During the visit, judge Caroline Lomas praised the enthusiasm and dedication of the volunteer team and the strong community support behind the entry:

Volunteers marked the group’s 30th anniversary with a large birthday cake

The In Bloom team is supported by Harborough District Council and its contractor FCC Environment, as well as businesses across the town, who help maintain and enhance many of the floral displays.

The judges were accompanied throughout the visit by the Chairman of Harborough District Council, Buddy Anderson, who praised the dedication and hard work of the volunteer gardeners behind Market Harborough In Bloom:

The judges toured Welland Park

After the judging was complete, volunteers marked the group’s 30th anniversary with a large birthday cake and a celebration at their base in Welland Park.

David Helsby, one of the Market Harborough In Bloom volunteers, told HFM that judging day is a chance to look back on months of hard work and celebrate what the team has achieved:

Floral displays in Welland Park

The results of this year’s East Midlands in Bloom competition will be announced in September.