Erewash Borough Council

Blooming Erewash

The Britain in Bloom UK finalist banner outside Ilkeston Town Hall

We’re working hard to make Erewash blooming marvellous. Each year Ilkeston and Long Eaton enter the large town category of the East Midlands in Bloom competition. There is also a local Erewash in Bloom competition which can be entered by residents, businesses, schools, allotments and places of worship. Find out more about both competitions below.

East Midlands in Bloom/Britain in Bloom campaign

Logo reads Britain in Bloom with the RHS Uk Finalist 2022Each year, the towns of Ilkeston and Long Eaton enter ‘East Midlands in Bloom’. This is an annual competition organised by the EMIB Regional Committee, one of the 18 regions/nations which comprise ‘Britain in Bloom‘, the campaign organised by the Royal Horticultural Society. For several years, both Ilkeston and Long Eaton have been awarded Gold medals.

This year, we are excited to announce that Ilkeston has been nominated by the East Midlands in Bloom committee to represent the region in the large town category of the Britain in Bloom Competition.

The aim of both the East Midlands in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competition is to encourage the improvement of our surroundings through the imaginative use of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscaping. It also aims to achieve a litter free and sustainable environment. This links directly to the three RHS core pillars of excellence which are:

  • Horticultural Excellence
  • Environmental Responsibility
  • Community Participation.

The awards are based on the Royal Horticultural Society’s medal standards of Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver and Bronze; the winner is the entry judged to have most successfully met the rigorous judging criteria.

Judging at the regional stage takes place around June/ July; judging for the national stage takes place in August. The results for the UK Finals are announced in September/ October. The competition covers the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

 Flowers at Victoria ParkThe carpet bed at Victoria Park Ilkeston last year. Forbes Hole Nature Reserve in Long Eaton

 

Find out how you can get involved:

If you are a group of people who are keen to improve your local surroundings, whether a street, or part of one, or you are involved in/starting a community project, then contact us for further information and help. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Wildflowers Meadows

wildflower meadowNew wildflower planting schemes can be seen around Ilkeston this year. One, on Tesco Island in Ilkeston promises to be a kaleidoscope of colour over the summer months. The display contains a mix of over 20 species of different wildflowers. The varieties have been chosen especially for their pollen-power, guaranteeing they’ll be popular with bees, butterflies and moths. Other wildflower planting schemes can be seen this summer in Victoria Park, on White Lion Square and at the entrance to Stanton Road Cemetery.

Erewash in Bloom Gardening Competition

Residents, community groups, local businesses and schools are invited the take part in this year’s Erewash in Bloom Gardening Competition, to help make Erewash blooming marvellous. The competition is one of largest in the East Midlands with 11 categories plus a special category to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – ‘Best Red White & Blue Jubilee Display’. For more information about the competition and details of how to enter, visit the Erewash in Bloom page.