COMMUNITIES in York are being urged to get involved in the city’s bid to win gold in this year’s Britain In Bloom competition.

For the first time in about 15 years York is flying the flag for Yorkshire in the national contest and organisers have set up a dedicated online domain name so individuals and groups can learn how they can help.

The city has won Yorkshire In Bloom Silver Gilt Award certificates for the past four years, and York In Bloom co-ordinator, Liz Levett, said the Britain In Bloom bid is generating a good deal of excitement already.

She said: “York has not been in the nationals for about 15 years and we are already working with community groups and others in the community on a number of initiatives, whether on the floral displays, street cleaning or wildlife conservation, there’s a real impetus to make York the best it can be.”

York is one of 77 cities, towns and villages which will take part in the national contest and judges will visit in August.

The city will be competing against Richmond-upon-Thames, Bury, Stockton and Wrexham in the “city” category which is open to communities with a population of more than 100,000.

In addition to York’s entry, Dunnington, which last year won the Yorkshire In Bloom small town competition for the fifth time, has also been selected to enter the small town category of Britain In Bloom this year.

Roy Freer, chairman of Dunnington In Bloom, said: “We were delighted and proud at the news and our aim this year is to win the gold award.

“We are competing against the best in the country which is a great tribute to everyone in the village who help make Dunnington a beautiful place to live.”

Dunnington is holding its Britain In Bloom launch in the village reading room on Thursday, March 10.


How to get involved

By logging on to yorkinbloom.com people can find out ways to get involved including sponsorship opportunities for roundabouts and other floral displays.

City of York Council is also offer the opportunity to sponsor daffodil planting on the Bar Walls. A minimum donation of £35 is requested which will pay for 250 bulbs to be planted.

For more details contact Parks and Open Spaces, Lifelong Learning and Culture, City of York Council, 18 Back Swinegate, York Y01 8ZD.