This year is the 50th Anniversary for Sidmouth in Bloom’s entry into the RHS ‘In Bloom” Horticulture competitions and campaigns, which now has greater emphasis on ‘Communities’ and care for the Environment.

Sidmouth in Bloom, in order to meet planting deadlines, commenced its preparations last October with the retrieval of perennial plants from beds and displays for overwintering together with finalising designs for new displays and the early ordering of seeds and plants to this year’s colour theme of red, blue, yellow.

Speaking about the preparations, the volunteers said: "Sidmouth’s current committee commenced in 2012 and the group, including the Town’s various different volunteer groups, have won many awards both in our South East Region and in the UK wide Nationals. In 2015, we were able to showcase Sidmouth with a display garden at the BBC Gardener’s World live gaining a coveted Silver Gilt Award. This year will be no exception, as Sidmouth has a share of the Regional SW in Bloom garden design under the Grand Floral Marquee at Chelsea Flower Show. Sidmouth, assisted in our work by the team at the London Royal Parks, will be featuring to our designs two 3-D Floral elephant sculptures on display at Chelsea in September with a third elephant to be situated at the entrance to London’s Regent’s Park from May. 

"In Sidmouth, this year’s 3-D floral sculptures will be displayed in our ‘Triangle’ maritime area and in Blackmore Gardens.  These new designs will be planted up in May for display in June, with a carpet bedding design celebrating SIB’s fiftieth year on the town’s raised bed. Our Sensory Garden is maturing well and work continues to maintain and improve it for the benefit of all- residents and visitors, young and old. SIB has now planted three trees as part of the RHS UK wide ‘Roots of Remembrance’ trail and only the ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ Hawthorn needs a sponsor with a £100 donation to SIB to cover costs of the tree and a remembrance plaque to. Donations will also be welcome for 2 ‘relaxation’ benches between the trees.

"Our famous Connaught Gardens will again contain another floriferous display in the sunken gardens with plants grown by SIB. mostly from seed. We will be encouraging Schools to again design the garden’s schools’ borders."

In the Town, SIB is also involved in the Ham Restoration Project with Sidmouth Town Council and other volunteer groups led by Louise Cole.  This is an exciting venture to keep improving the Ham recreation and activities area following the completion of the new coastal footbridge over the river Sid. SIB’s sustainable planting by the East Ham car park border (East Street) is starting to show its spring display leading to a continuous display through the year. The Blackmore ‘Corridor’ by the Library is starting to also show spring colour.

Currently pot scrubbing and watering perennials are the tasks in hand all adhering to Health and Safety guidelines and Covid restrictions. The lockdown’s have hindered our Friends Meetings and social contacts. SIB is planning to reinstate the town’s Summer Floral Competition and the Town’s Open Gardens Event. Entries will be sought in the near future.  SIB welcomes new keen volunteers who would like to join the group on Thursday mornings to help with weeding, potting on plants and planting. 

"All our work is made possible by our enthusiastic team of willing volunteers and the support of Sidmouth Town Council, the town’s Keith Owen Fund and town sponsorships." They said. 

 If you're interested in finding out more about Sidmouth in Bloom, please direct all enquiries:  info@sidmouthinbloom.org, or 01395 578081.