Entente Florale is a European competition for Towns and Villages throughout 12 countries. It is supported in the UK by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) who organise the national and regional ‘In Bloom’ competitions.

Buxton in Bloom has been chosen by the RHS to represent the UK in Entente Florale 2009 because of our success in both the East Midlands and National Bloom events in recent years.

These competitions are not just about pretty flowers. Most of the marks are awarded for environmental projects devised and executed by local community groups and schools.

During the summer of 2009, 12 jury members will descend on Buxton to spend 6 hours in the town assessing our best features. They will want to see that Buxton is a good place to live, work and play.

Can you support us by:-

• Volunteering?
• Sponsoring financially?
• Attending our functions?

For further information contact Jane on 01298 24779

BLOOMING marvellous – that's the verdict of organisers after the announcement that Buxton has been nominated to represent Britain in next year's Europe-wide Entente Florale competition.

Buxton achieved the prestigious accolade after coming third and winning a Silver Gilt medal in the hotly-contested Large Town (12,000 to 35,000 residents) category of this year's Britain in Bloom at Chester Racecourse last week.

The town's showpiece Pavilion Gardens – the only park in the East Midlands to boast a coveted Green Heritage Award – was also one of only four shortlisted finalists for the prize of Best Park in Britain, won by Ravelin Park, Southsea.

Winners of Buxton in Bloom 2008 received their awards during a special presentation evening at No 6 The Square.

Last thursday the judging for Britain in Bloom took place in Buxton. The following is a short video tour showing the highlights of the judging circuit. Enjoy!

The Pavilion Gardens has won the prestigious national standard of a Green Flag Award.

Pavilion Gardens is the only park in the East Midlands to achieve the higher standard of the Green Heritage Award.The award assesses performance against a wide range of 27 different criteria -- including overall management, community involvement, future planning and standards of maintenance and cleanliness.

The judges were particularly impressed with how the Council works in partnership with the community, including Friends groups and Buxton in Bloom. They were also impressed by the maintenance standards across all of the parks, which were higher than the normal level required to obtain these awards.

The local people of Buxton have been digging deep- literally - to help make Buxton a brighter place to live.

(courtesy of Buxton Advertiser)

 NEXT time you pass through Buxton and are bowled over by the colourful flowers brightening up most roundabouts, railings, shop fronts and formal beds, spare a thought for the countless hours that go into planning, designing, planting and maintaining such dazzling displays.

Could you spend £10,000 in a year? That was the task set for Buxton in Bloom by a Breathing Places Big Lottery Award.