Judges praise town for ‘renewed vigour’ in triumphant return to Bloom contest

MEMBERS of Henley in Bloom, who were behind the town’s success in this year’s Thames and Chilterns competition, met to discuss the judges’ feedback.

Following a visit by two judges to the town in May the town was awarded gold.

The competition, run by the Royal Horticultural Society, gives awards to community gardening schemes and environmental initiatives in towns and villages across the UK.

It is the first time Henley has entered since 2019. Previously, the town had won seven golds in the regional contest in eight years.

At its first meeting back following the competition results the Bloom sub-committee discussed comments by judges Julie Graham and Paul Cooper.

The bloom marking scheme was split into three sections — horticulture, which accounted for 40 per cent of the marks — environment, which made up 30 per cent of the score and community, which contributed towards the final 30.

The town received 34 out of 40 in horticulture, 26 out of 30 for environment and 27 out of 30 for community, giving an overall score of 87, two marks above the threshold needed for gold standard.

In the marking sheet, the judges said that the town had returned to the competition after its hiatus with “renewed vigour”.

Of their overall impression of the town, the judges picked out the adventure golf course and area around Mill Meadows as “impressive new features” and said that “careful consideration” had been given to the type of planting used throughout the town to ensure it is “sustainable and provides biodiversity”.

They said: “Marsh Meadows is now flourishing and provides an excellent wild area obviously loved by a wide variety of flora and fauna.”

It congratulated all involved, adding that the competition had done well to bring in lots of volunteers and local organisations together to make Henley a “destination town” aside from its world-famous reputation for rowing.

The judges made suggestions for improvements in each category, which included a variety of suggestions from rebushing and painting the lamp-posts in the town to considering carrying out an entomological survey.

Town Clerk Sheridan Jacklin-Edward told Monday’s meeting that he had also received some informal feedback from the judges following the tour, suggesting it could be streamlined slightly.

He said: “They mentioned they did feel it was a little rushed and trying to fit in too many projects. Less is more. In a way, we could cut down the amount of projects we are trying to show them.”

Councillor Kellie Hinton described the judges’ feedback as “very fair”.

She said: “I think they put a lot of time into not just judging but helping people do better next time.”

Earlier in the meeting Councillor Hinton was elected as chair for another year and Councillor Rory Hunt was elected vice-chair.

Notes will go to the council’s town and community committee to approve the appointments.