Category: Class 7 / Judge: Jennie Judd
Introduction :
I was really delighted to visit and meet the newly reformed In Bloom/Community Group representing Mathern Parish, who were all extremely enthused about improving and safeguarding their local environment.
I was struck by the sense of community spirit and belonging to the Parish and I believe that subject to some coaching and direction Mathern Parish will soon be a Wales in Bloom Gold Winners! Please keep up all your good works - you are a real credit to the community.
SECTION A – Horticultural Achievement
Assessing year-round horticultural achievement including conservation and natural areas.
MAX / ACT.
A1. / Impact – design, colours, appropriate choice of plants, special features, presentation, innovation / 20 / 13
A2. / Horticultural practice – cultivation and maintenance, quality of plants, sustainability, new planting / 20 / 12
A3. / Residential and Community Gardening – residential, communal areas, allotments, public buildings (grounds of churches, schools etc.), car parks / 20 / 13
A4. / Business Areas and Premises – retail and shopping areas, leisure sites, transport terminals, car parks, farms, rural businesses, pubs, post offices, tourist areas/attractions, offices, estate agents etc. / 20 / 14
A5. / Green Spaces – verges, parks and open public spaces / 20 / 14
TOTAL POINTS AWARDED FOR SECTION A
50% of maximum points / 100 / 66
Areas of Achievement:
Good engagement with local businesses as a means of improving and supporting the local campaign. The efforts by the Millers Arms and the excellent working relationship with Mathern Palace is a real credit to you and provides the community with an excellent working base.
Good use of roadside planters offers excellent colour and raises the profile of the campaign which are being managed and maintained by adopted residents. Very pleased to see that a common planting theme had been used with the bedding displays this represents continuity.
An outstanding effort has been made to manage and raise the profile of the War Memorial garden. I was particularly pleased to see the attention to detail regarding the selection of herbs to represent different forms of healing – this area is a real credit to you well done!
Excellent engagement with the local residents to take pride in their residential properties which supports the local In Bloom campaign.
Especially liked the gateway signs welcoming visitor to the area which had a carpet of floral bedding.
Areas for Improvement:
Give more serious consideration into the introduction of sustainable planting schemes to help reduce the amount of seasonal bedding. Bear in mind that many shrubs/herbaceous perennials can offer great colour, form and shape which will bring a different dimension to planted displays.
Improve working links with the local school to help develop their grounds a little further for educational purposes – an excellent award for schools is the Keep Wales Tidy Eco Award.
Try and introduce greater variation into your judging route too much time was spent looking at front gardens.
SECTION B – Environmental Responsibility
Assessing year-round activities improving environmental responsibility.
MAX / ACT.
B1. / Conservation and biodiversity – wildlife areas, natural habitat / 10 / 7
B2. / Resource management – recycling, minimising demand placed on natural resources and any harmful impact on the environment / 10 / 7
B3. / Local heritage –management and development of local heritage and/or identity, inclusive of natural heritage / 10 / 8
B4. / Local environmental quality – management of vacant premises and plots, litter, graffiti, fly-posting, dog fouling etc. / 10 / 8
B5. / Pride of place – management of street furniture, signage, art in the landscape and hard landscaping / 10 / 8
TOTAL POINTS AWARDED FOR SECTION B
25% of maximum points / 50 / 38
Areas of Achievement:
During my visit the Parish was very well presented with minimal litter, graffiti, dog fouling or fly posting. I was pleased to learn that some of the local residents undertake regular litter collection exercises due to the lack of resources of the local authority.
The resource management appeared adequate for the Parish.
Management of street seats and furniture appeared to be in very good condition.
Areas for Improvement:
I was really pleased with the written report from Ms Bell who unfortunately was not available during my visit. I would strongly recommend you engage with her expertise to help develop the conservation and biodiversity projects for the Parish.
Consider the aspects of recycling, in particular the high turnover of seasonal bedding displays which cost a lot of money but sadly only provides 6 months worth of seasonal interest.
Explore options for water recycling as a means of irrigating planting scheme throughout of the Parish.
SECTION C – Community Participation
Assessing year-round community participation
MAX / ACT.
C1. / Development and continuity - Development and sustainability of the local bloom initiative and evidence of on-going projects / 10 / 7
C2. / Communication and education – community awareness and understanding, engagement with schools and young people and/or other community groups, press coverage, publicity materials / 10 / 6
C3. / Community participation – community involvement is representative of the community’s size and diversity / 10 / 7
C4. / Year-round involvement – schedules of events and supporting evidence of year-round activity (primary evidence to be presented in 15 minute presentation) / 10 / 7
C5. / Funding and Support – initiatives to secure on-going support for the local bloom campaign including local business support / 10 / 7
TOTAL POINTS AWARDED FOR SECTION C
25% of maximum points / 50 / 34
Areas of Achievement:
Good initial presentation and bounded portfolio which provided an excellent overview of the annual achievements made by the community. Keep up the momentum and encourage further support.
An excellent sense of community spirit and belonging was highly noticeable from everyone who I spoke with during my visit, especially the efforts which were being made by my hosts.
Brilliant use of community resources and annual events as a means of fundraising to support the local campaign. Please keep up this good work!
Excellent public literature which provides visitors with an insight to the history and conservation of the local area.
Areas for Improvement:
Continue to raise education awareness with the local schools as a means of supporting you’re In Bloom Campaign.
In light of the foreseeable cuts in local government develop a plan by which the community can undertake practical activities as a means of preserving standards within the locality.
GRAND TOTAL POINTS AWARDED / 200
(max.) / 138
MEDAL AWARDED (if applicable) / Silver
1
2013 Wales in Bloom