IT is commendable that the Echo has teamed up with Poole’s Lewis Manning Hospice with the innovative idea of holding a gardens competition as a fundraiser for such a worthy cause.

One is mindful how gardening has taken on a new dimension during these difficult times of Covid-19 and when everything in life appears to be so fragile the appreciation of horticulture and the ‘wellbeing’ that nature has to offer, with its abundance of trees, flowers and plants, lifts the spirits and is an ingredient of hope and good health.

Bournemouth in Bloom, the Bournemouth Horticultural Society, was founded in 1884 and since that time has promoted gardening for ‘wellbeing’. During the war years people dug for victory and the necessity to bring food to the table. It was a period in history when there were the most challenging and tragic circumstances and everyone was encouraged to appreciate and embrace the beauty and tranquillity which mother nature has to offer.

In 2020, with the war against Covid-19, we are encouraging everyone to ‘dig for victory’ and have adapted our competition accordingly to also now include vegetables and fruit. There is also a section for trees, sensory and tactile gardens for people with disabilities and sensory loss, environmental friendly and recognition of streets and communities. Gardening for children is also being adapted this year to replace what is usually our BCP Annual Schools Competition and instead asking children to engage in the creation of gardens with a ‘rainbow’ theme.

Over the years Bournemouth in Bloom has supported every type of charity and at the same time encouraged everyone to participate in our yearly competition which is free of charge to enter. During these testing times gardening is enabling people to appreciate and value their environment and surroundings. The 2020 Bournemouth in Bloom Competition, and the relaunch of Poole in Bloom, welcomes and encourages everyone to participate.

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In these difficult times one is mindful of the financial constraints that businesses and individuals find themselves and it is in the spirit of participation and wellbeing that all are invited to participate and freely enter to which everyone will receive a certificate of recognition. It is “out of ashes of disaster grow roses of success”.

CHRISTOPHER COLLEDGE

Chairman of Bournemouth in Bloom

Durley Gardens, Bournemouth