The RHS Britain in Bloom is the largest community gardening campaign in the country, and this year marks its 60th anniversary.

The British Tourist Board started the campaign in 1964 when I was a mere youngster growing up in the market town of Shrewsbury. I can remember many an outing to The Dingle, the flower-filled park made famous by the first TV gardening personality, Percy Thrower.

Since the RHS took over as organiser of Bloom in 2001, the event has broadened its remit and has a greater focus on community participation and environmental responsibility. In 2006, a new grassroots level was launched called ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ targeted at smaller volunteer groups and opening up more opportunities for participation. The whole aim of Bloom, as well as bringing colour to rural and urban communities alike, is to encourage as many people as possible to join in, and experience the physical and mental well-being benefits that gardening can bring.

Last year's pyramid planter by Altrincham's Clock Tower. Last year's pyramid planter by Altrincham's Clock Tower. (Image: Alison Moore) Kay Clark, RHS community development manager, says: 'The 60th anniversary is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate community gardening. Social connections are fundamental to good health and wellbeing and for Britain in Bloom's 60th anniversary, we’ll be celebrating the friendships and social benefits forged through plants and gardening.'

The exciting news for Cheshire, in this anniversary year, is that Altrincham has been selected to represent the North West as the region's Best Large Town in the UK finals. It follows the town’s superb performance at last year's North West in Bloom awards when it received the highest mark in the competition's history and collected its sixth Gold Award as well as the Best Large Town trophy. As Altrincham is my local town, I well remember the striking pyramid planters from last year, which were filled not with flowers, but with the striking foliage of coleus, heucheras and black ipomoea plants. The judges were blown away by the originality of the display, as well as the dedication of the volunteer group.

Earlier in the summer, I caught up with Sarah Walmsley the chair of Altrincham in Bloom to find out how the Altrincham group came about, and what the theme of friendship means for the volunteers. We went on a walking tour of the town to see what was in flower ready for the judges' visit, and it was fascinating to hear about the successes and challenges faced to get the town looking so colourful.

Sarah told me it’s not just about the planting: since 2010, when the group was called Our Altrincham, supporters have collected 3,800 bags of rubbish, and litter-picking days continue to be a regular event to keep the town looking at its best.

Chair of Altrincham in Bloom Sarah Walmsley, pictured left, with volunteers Val Hutchinson, Liz Foster, Matt Curnow, Kathryn Mildewstein.Chair of Altrincham in Bloom Sarah Walmsley, pictured left, with volunteers Val Hutchinson, Liz Foster, Matt Curnow, Kathryn Mildewstein. (Image: Sarah Walmsley) Sarah has always had to fight for sponsorship and since the pandemic, this has become more and more difficult. This year the group has been raising funds to replace seven of the older planters – no easy matter – but Sarah is tenacious in her ambitions to keep Altrincham on top of its game, and the results speak for themselves.

There is tangible evidence the RHS theme of friendship has been embraced. The railing planters near the station are exactly 10 in number and perfect for spelling out the word friendship. In June, which was also Pride Month, pairs of friends were invited via the popular Facebook page to come and plant them up using flowers the colours of the Pride flag.

Regardless of this year's theme, the spirit of community and friendship is intrinsic. From the friendships formed within the group to its welcome and continued sponsorship of a refugee family who volunteered to help, it epitomises the whole ethos the RHS seeks.

The railway station planters that spell out friendship. The railway station planters that spell out friendship. (Image: Alison Moore) While I was wandering around the town with Sarah, I particularly loved the display outside the station, where the Grade II Listed Clock Tower can be found. This is the home of the much-admired pyramid planters which are different, but equally spectacular this year.

Altrincham leads the way in the local area and is the inspiration for other local ‘In Bloom’ groups such as Timperley In Bloom, Stretford In Bloom, Urmston In Bloom, Ashton on Mersey In Bloom, Sale Town In Bloom and, most recently, Hale U3A Gardeners.

The RHS Britain In Bloom finals 2024 will be held at Old Trafford Football Ground’s Conference Centre on October 21, and we wish Altrincham the very best of luck.

Other competitors in the Large Town Category

o Colwyn, Wales in Bloom

o Cramlington, Northumbria in Bloom

o Haywards Heath Town, South & South East in Bloom

o St Ives in Bloom, Anglia in Bloom

o Yeovil In Bloom, South West in Bloom

Alison Moore of Renaissance Garden Design is a garden designer and photographer based in Sale. She writes a blog about her garden and other gardens she visits in Cheshire.

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