April 2019

Bootle is set to enter the prestigious national gardening competition run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

Community groups in the town have teamed up with Sefton Council to enter Bootle into the Urban Community category of the well-known North West In Bloom event.

The desire to put Bootle forward for the competition came from a network of friends’ groups and community organisations involved in growing activities under the umbrella of the ‘Taking Root in Bootle’ network, which is supported by Well Sefton, a public health initiative.

With the help of the Green Sefton Team from the local authority and the Taking Root Co-ordinators, groups are already working hard to brighten up Bootle’s highways, parks and green spaces by planting plants and flowers and installing new artwork.

However, In Bloom isn’t just about flowers as it encourages volunteers and the local community to improve their environment by undertaking litter-picks, tackling grotspots and helping to improve parks and green spaces.

Ruth Livesey from social enterprise Regenerus, who co-ordinates the network, said: “There are many community groups and local volunteers already putting a lot of time and energy into planting food and flowers.

“Entering the In Bloom competition is a great way to celebrate their hard work and achievements, and to recognise how community growing brings people together.”

A series of fun days took place in local community gardens over Easter to launch Bootle in Bloom. These were held at North Park and South Park in Bootle and Netherton Community Garden.

They featured a range of fun activities such as face painting, cooking demonstrations and craft workshops, as well as opportunities for everyone in the community to get involved in planting and cleaning up the local area.

Mark Shaw, Sefton Council’s Green Sefton Manager, said: “This is another great example of our Council teams working with our local community to bring about improvements to the place we are all proud to live in.”

2019 has been designated Sefton’s Year of Friendship. Anyone interested in making new friends by getting involved in community growing and the Bootle in Bloom project can contact takingrootinbootle@gmail.com.