The borough's annual community gardening contest, Camden in Bloom, is open for entries until 31 August, the council has confirmed. The scheme encourages residents, local organisations and businesses to highlight the role green spaces play in improving neighbourhoods across Camden.
Who can enter and what are the categories?
The competition accepts entries from householders, community groups, schools, sheltered housing schemes and commercial premises. This year organisers say there are seven categories that aim to cover a wide range of projects, from private front gardens to food growing and youth involvement.
- Best Front Garden
- Best Community Food Growing
- Best Sheltered Housing Garden
- Camden Young Gardener (under 18)
- Treemendous Trees Award (new)
- Plus other longstanding and returning categories
The newly introduced Treemendous Trees Award is intended to recognise individuals who take responsibility for watering and helping maintain street trees in public spaces.
"Our annual Camden in Bloom competition continues to be a much-loved perennial, bringing together residents, businesses and communities to celebrate our outdoor spaces,"
The quotation above is from Cllr James Slater, cabinet member for planning and a sustainable Camden, who said the contest showcases the creativity and skill of local people.
Prizes and recognition
Prizes this year include vouchers from the competition sponsor and invitations to an awards ceremony at Camden Town Hall, where winners will be presented with certificates and prizes by the Mayor of Camden.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Camden Garden Centre and Treehab |
| Prizes | Camden Garden Centre vouchers and other awards |
| Award ceremony | Town Hall with the Mayor of Camden |
How to apply
Residents and groups interested in entering should visit the council website for full details, category criteria and the entry form. The deadline for submissions is 31 August. The council provides guidance on what judges will be looking for and how to submit photographs or supporting information with entries.
Camden in Bloom has been run by the council for a number of years as a way of encouraging locals to take part in improving public and private green spaces. The competition is one of several initiatives the council promotes to increase biodiversity, support food growing and encourage community stewardship of trees and planting across the borough.
For those planning to enter, now is the time to prepare photographs, measurements and brief descriptions of projects so entries can be submitted ahead of the closing date.
