Time to show off your blooms

Jun 6 2008 Chester Chronicle

GREEN-FINGERED champs will be hoping it will be lucky 13 for them in this year’s Chester in Bloom competition.

2008 marks the 13th time the competition has been run in the city and this year will feature 17 categories.

They are: Best Large Garden, Best Small Garden, Best Terraced Garden/Backyard, Best Housing Trust Garden, Best Bedding Display, Best Hanging Basket, Wild Garden, Best Hotel & Guest House, Best Pub & Restaurant, Retail Outlet, Business Premises, Tourist Attraction, Community Project, Environment Project or Allotment.

Application forms are available from libraries, can be downloaded at www.chester.gov.uk/inbloom, or by calling 01244 402223.

The closing date for entries is July 18 with judging starting on July 28. The winners will be announced at an awards dinner to be held at the Queen Hotel in October.

The Chester Schools in Bloom competition was launched last month at Chester Zoo, the competition sponsor, and is being judged on July 2.

Chester is also preparing for judges from the Royal Horticultural Society who visit the city on July 16 as Chester competes in the North West in Bloom competition.

Chester won the title of Best City in last year’s competition and hopes to retain the title as the city is a centre of focus for Cheshire’s Year of Gardens .