Alan Quick

A TOTAL of 18 passionate local volunteer groups have received certificates of recognition for taking part in the Britain In Bloom (BIB) “It’s Your Neighbourhood Award” (IYN) campaign.

The campaign is the UK’s biggest community gardening campaign with the volunteers who work year-round to keep the towns neighbourhoods and streets green, clean, and thriving.

Groups taking part in the campaign are asked to focus on its three core pillars of: Community participation, Environmental Responsibility and Gardening Achievement.

In July, the 18 groups were visited by an environmental, horticultural and community development "In Bloom" expert, who provided valuable feedback on how to develop current activities and encourage on-going improvements.

Based on the visit, each group received a BIB certificate of achievement reflecting how well they have met the BIB IYN aims as included in the three core pillars.

All the groups received one of five levels of achievement in the campaign - Establishing, Improving, Developing, Thriving, and Outstanding. Five groups received Outstanding, Eight groups received Thriving, and five groups received Developing.

Tiverton entered 11 groups and Exeter entered 28 groups along with three groups entering the pennant award.

The Crediton groups were: Crediton Congregational Church, Railway Station, Incredible Town Square Garden, Friends of People’s Park, People’s Park Wildlife Area, Crediton Bowls Club, Hillbrow Residential Care Home, Hayward’s Garden Club, Landscore Primary School, Lennard House Community Gardens, Newcombes Meadow Community Group, Moffats Land allotments, Crediton and District Lions Club, Age Concern, Rotary Club of Crediton Boniface, Residents of Stanbury Court, Residents of The Lodge, and Save the House Martins in Westernlea.

If you or your group would like to enter the IYN campaign next year please email: [email protected] .