Bulphan in Bloom
Bulphan in Bloom was set up under the "umbrella" of Bulphan Village Community Forum, and the Forum has allocated several set-up grants to help this committee and their volunteers improve and beautify our village.
A very successful Open Gardens Day was held in Bulphan on July 3rd 2011. With many new gardens to see, musical entertainment, strawberry teas and beautiful weather, it was well-supported and highly enjoyable.
Bulphan won a silver gilt award at RHS Britain in Bloom UK Final awards ceremony on 29th September 2010!
10 Bulphan villagers travelled to Birmingham to the prestigious awards ceremony, presented by celebrity gardener Alys Fowler. Representing Anglia, Bulphan were up against 3 other villages: one in the Heart of England, one in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland. We were delighted to be awarded a silver gilt medal and warmly congratulate Norton in the Hales, Shropshire, who won the gold award.
Specialist RHS judges praised Bulphan on its achievements by saying how it is unsurpassed that an entrant
has been put forward to national level after only 2½ years. They commented on how the village’s community,
of all ages, has worked so hard together to transform this rural village into a local treasure. One of the judges
said “You have all done so well, it was hard to find fault and to get a silver gilt as a first time entrant to national level is an outstanding achievement”.
The judges' report said: "As a first time entrant into the national finals of Britain in Bloom and after only three
years in existence as a group, Bulphan in Bloom are to be congratulated on such a credible entry and making
such a huge difference to their community. From the moment you enter the village you are aware of the group's
activities and the pride of the villagers. The ongoing support of local businesses and Thurrock Council is to be applauded.
Given time, this fledgling group will really put the area on the Bloom map of Great Britain; an excellent first time
entry and one to watch in the future, very well done!"
At the Anglia in Bloom awards in Sudbury we scooped a GOLD award and were selected as the Best Village in Anglia. The Village was also nominated for many other special awards for all their achievements – Best Drought Garden for Victoria Road, Best Community project for Victoria Road residents and Best Youth Project for Becky, Amie & Emily's Person in a Chair competition.
The Anglia in Bloom competition is a competition run for all towns or Villages to enter throughout the whole
of Anglia. They then select their BEST entrants to represent Anglia in the National RHS Britain in Bloom
competition, which is what happened to us! This means that we were scrutinized and
examined on two separate occasions by two sets of Judges. They had a tour of the entire Village
including the School & Church, meeting residents, local businesses and VIP’s.
Everyone worked so hard – each in different ways to achieve what we have in such a short space of time
– they are an amazing team of people! Many residents have shown so much enthusiasm, helping to plant &
maintain our projects; we have a very special community.
We are taking a break from competitions in 2011 - but still carrying on with tidying, planting and improving Bulphan, and running social and fund-raising events.