Residents encouraged to clear gutters ahead of Britain in Bloom competition

LOCAL residents are being encouraged to spend 10 minutes clearing gutters in their local areas, as the town gets ready to be judged in this year’s Britain in Bloom competition after a two-year break. 

Melksham was awarded gold for four consecutive years between 2018 and 2021 but has not entered the Britain in Bloom competition – now in its 60th year – for the past two years because of a decline in volunteers to help with tasks such as watering, planting and maintaining floral displays. 

However, Melksham is back in the competition after more volunteers were recruited at a meeting in the town hall earlier this year. 

Bloom team organiser Terri Welch says plans for this year’s competition are ‘progressing well’ but that the biggest problem the team is facing is removing weeds and debris from the gutters. 

 “Wiltshire Council, the town council’s own team and a number of Bloomers have all been busy. But as we all know weeds grow fast and they are everywhere,” explained Terri. 

“What would be great is that people would spend 10 minutes in their local area clearing the gutters. We feel it is a matter of pride to know that our own immediate surroundings look good.” 

Britain in Bloom is a national gardening competition inspiring community groups in towns, cities and villages to make positive changes to their local environment through horticultural, environmental and community action. 

Terri said the Bloom team is waiting to hear the date when Melksham will be judged in this year’s competition.