Bloom has had a major influence on the quality of my life over the years. I grew up, and still live, in a village that had been entering the competition since 1964 so I was always aware of Bloom throughout my formative years. When I started work as an apprentice gardener for the local council in 1984, I worked in Ryton and Whickham, both regional and regular national entries at the time.
In 1990, I became involved with Durham in Bloom, for many years as coordinator until my early retirement in 2022. During this time, I became a regional judge and had the immense privilege of being a national finals judge between 2009 and 2017. I served as regional chairman from 2018 – 2022 and as regional representative on the Bloom Federation. The Bloom Federation brings the 17 Bloom Regions & Nations along with the RHS together with a vision to transform communities across the UK, by supporting and inspiring local people to garden together.
“Throughout all of this, it has been the people and the many individual friendships formed that have greatly enhanced my quality of life.”
From working with volunteers in numerous Bloom groups, to my fellow regional and national judges, to the privilege of visiting so many fantastic communities, both regionally and nationally, to see the wonderful work being undertaken to enhance the environment by so many dedicated people; to the marvellous RHS staff.
