Bournemouth Livrare Flori Florarie

The Royal Horticultural Society in Britain sponsors a national contest annually called “Britain in Bloom”. Every year for the last 30 or so years, Bournemouth has entered it’s local flowers into the contest. The hope is that by encouraging residents to plant flowers that the Bournemouth area will blossom with pride.

The volunteer group, founded in 1884, is looking to make Bournemouth into an exceptionally beautiful town, even one of the best in the UK. Residents can register free, and enter the competition. Planting their own flower gardens, hanging plants or vegetable gardens residents compete in many different categories.

The schools even get in the mix. In 2017 the schools each had the option to compete in these categories:

• Flower garden
• Vegetable garden
• Wildlife garden
• Sensory garden
• Themed Garden within Wicker Planters (the theme was “A Seaside Garden”)

Residents don’t have to plant their own flowers to be able to participate. Volunteer opportunities abound for keeping Bournemouth beautiful.

• You can help run the Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre or the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre at Stour Valley if you love nature reserves.
• Slades Farm Community Garden is the organic garden where volunteers can grow sustainable food.
• You can tend the wildlife garden, or assist visitors by helping with guided tours.
• Community clean-ups in neighbourhoods, urban areas, too!
• In north Bournemouth volunteers help conserve the habitat at Hengistbury Head.
• Guardians for the parks are needed to help the local park staff.
• There are goats and cattle on some grounds that need grazing stock checkers.
• There is always the need for assistance with grounds maintenance. You can help with tree works, landscaping or clearance projects all around Bournemouth.
• The King’s Park Nursery has openings for volunteers as well. You can assist with the selling or taking care of the plants, from beginning to end.
• There are several Park Cafes where catering help is needed.

Bournemouth in Bloom is a community wide event bringing residents together in pride and accomplishment as we celebrate our beautiful home.