Join the Virtual Seminar 2021: It's Your Neighbourhood, Our Community, and Parish in Bloom!
Dive into the Virtual Seminar 2021 focusing on enhancing communities through initiatives like Bloom, dispelling myths and emphasizing the benefits of participation. Learn about community categories, awards, and the core pillars shaping a greener, more connected environment.
- Virtual Seminar
- Community Engagement
- Bloom Initiative
- Environmental Sustainability
- Community Improvement
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Virtual Seminar 2021 It s Your Neighbourhood, Our Community, and Parish in Bloom
Agenda: Southern Water Dispelling the Bloom myths Community Categories The Core Pillars Judging Criteria Preparing an entry Planning the Judges Visit Press and Media How to succeed Special Awards 2021 Any Questions?
Dispelling the myths: What Bloom is NOT about It is not necessarily about hundreds of unsustainable, floral schemes. High costs for the local council and staff.
What Bloom is about Bringing communities together to improve the local environment Creating attractive places for local people. Potentially increasing tourism and growth.
Benefits of Participation: Cleaner and greener surroundings Creating a sense of community An increase in civic pride Safer environments for the enjoyment of local people, Long term improvement for the environment A positive effect on the local economy
Community Categories: It s Your Neighbourhood Our Community Parish in Bloom
RHS Its Your Neighbourhood Award These are informal, non-competitive awards for small voluntary & residential communities. Free to enter
Our Community Extension of RHS It s Your Neighbourhood category Formally judged like a main entry
Parish in Bloom The visit is informal, and a third party validation of the Parishes successes. No need for major preparations before a visit (unless you wish to)
The Core Pillars A. Community Participation B. Environmental Responsibility C. Gardening Achievement
Judging Criteria A. Community Participation 40% of marks B. Environmental Responsibility 30% of marks C. Gardening Achievement 30% of marks
Assessment It s Your Neighbourhood has 5 Levels of Achievement: If the assessor considers that you seem to be just starting out the award is Level 1 Establishing. If you have achieved something truly outstanding - Level 5 Outstanding If you are in between - Levels 2, 3 or 4 Improving, Advancing, or Thriving.
Section A - Community Participation (40% or 40 points) Being inclusive of and making a difference to local people Local ownership and direction Involving local people with planning and decision-making Partnership Working Getting support Planning for the future
Section B - Environmental Responsibility (30% or 30 points) Conservation Composting and Recycling Creating, maintaining or improving green space Sharing knowledge and skills Addressing environmental issues
Section C Gardening Achievement (30% or 30 points) Good plant choice Good maintenance, presentation and management Creativity Innovation Overcoming site difficulties Enhancing the area through gardening
Preparing your entry Ideally plan a route that shows off the best of your entry within the time allowed. Try not to show the judges improvements or features that are not covered on the marking sheet. Try to start the tour on a WOW! and finish on a WOW! Keep to the allotted time.
Examples of what to include: The High Street (if you have one) Local Parks Community Gardening Businesses, shop fronts, pubs, etc Front Gardens School Gardening Clubs Areas of conservation This is relevant to the Parish category
What to include on the tour continued: Opportunities for the judges/assessors to meet people Examples of environmental management. Efforts by the community to make improvements.
What to include in the visit continued: Make sure to include on the tour any new projects or ongoing work to improve the entry (this must cover one of the marking sheet elements). Try to start the tour on a WOW! and finish on a WOW! Keep to the allotted time Remember less is often more
Test the Route Once the route has been agreed, test it a number of times. Test at the same time, and on the same day you will be showing the judges around.
Hosting the Visit Who will the judges meet at the start? Who will be met on the route? There should be a lead person to head up the visit. This person should be able to answer all of the judges questions.
Tour Guides On foot there should be a maximum of four guides with the judges at any time In a small vehicle there should be a maximum of two guides (including the driver)
The Judging Vehicle: do s and don ts If you do need a vehicle for your entry: Do choose a suitable vehicle to take the judges around, with easy access. Do choose a vehicle that offers a good view for both judges. Don t choose a vehicle with tinted windows.
Managing the Route Have a runner or a runner with a vehicle a few minutes ahead of the judges vehicle. They can let people waiting ahead on the route know how far behind you are.
Schools and Young People Try to meet young people if they are involved in gardening, conservation or working in the community. Remember - Its easy to over-run when young children are involved. Please ensure Judges/Assessors are not left alone with Children and Young People see Safeguarding Policies
Press and Media Decide whether to have a press photo call: at the start at the end somewhere on route
How to succeed Plan the visit, don t leave anything to chance. Don t ask the judges what they want to see Try to show the judges/assessors something from every section or sub section of the criteria. Divide the allocated time between each section.
How to succeed (continued) Assume the judges know nothing about your entry, even if you are a seasoned competitor. Tell them, show them, explain .. Above all Try to relax and enjoy the day!
Time for Lunch If you want to offer refreshments after the tour this is most kind but please let the judges know in advance. Do invite other working partners/supporters for the judges to meet.
Review After the judges have gone, briefly review how the day went while it is still fresh in your mind. What went well? What could be improved for next year?
Special Awards 2021 Commercial categories: Pubs and Restaurants Hotels and Guest Houses Shops Fronts and Workplaces Living Wall
Special Awards 2021 Residential Categories: Front Gardens and Balconies Roof Gardens Grow at Home Wildflowers and Weeds Residential Street or Road
Special Awards 2021 In addition, we have also introduced the following, presented to those entries who are deserving of recognition for the outstanding work they do. The Planting with A Purpose Special Award The Growing Your Community Special Award
Environmental Challenge 2021 Sponsored By Southern Water Desk top judged Free to enter Further details of how to enter are on our web site, or you can email anne@sseib.com Closing date for entry forms 30 April 2021 Closing date for submissions 30 July 2021
For further information please contact: Campaign Managers Anne Holman and Kate Harris London in Bloom www.londoninbloom.co.uk Email: anne@londoninbloom.co.uk or kate@londoninbloom.co.uk Or you can ring 020 8662 1021 South and South East in Bloom www.sseib.com Email: anne@sseib.com or kate@sseib.com Or you can ring 020 8662 1021
