Biddulph In Bloom is a voluntary unpaid group with charity status who are trying to improve the environment of Biddulph and its surrounds. It was founded by Hilda Sheldon MBE.
During our over 30 years of activity we have planted 2,500 street and verge trees, thousands of spring bulbs, restored and created hedgerows, cared for an allotment and a small nature reserve. We also have two pick your own fruit, soft fruit and orchard fruit projects within Biddulph Grange Country Park.
We have done extremely well in the regional and national Britain In Bloom competitions. We have won Gold awards in the large town category in the Heart of England In Bloom and have been the category winner for several years. In 2019 we were awarded Gold and were the large town category winner in the National In Bloom RHS. We gained a Gold award in all of the three marked categories which were Horticultural Excellence, Community Participation and Environmental Awareness. We were the only entrant to have been awarded Gold in all three categories.
Working around the year, we plan, plant and maintain the summer displays throughout the town using plants which are grown locally. We maintain the many Memorial seats, now totalling almost 50, that have been given by members of the community in memory of loved ones; we paint and varnish these annually. We weed, clean and lift the litter in our streets so that our town is presented to its best.
Fundraising is a very important part of our work and we are extremely proud of our relationship with our community, who are generous with gifts and donations and express their gratitude to us as we work in the community. Each year we hold events such as Shrove Tuesday where we make pancakes for sale in the Town Hall, we hold an Open Garden Day with approximately 20 gardens open, including Biddulph Grange National Trust Garden and we participate in Biddulph’s Festival events.
We are grateful also for business sponsors and for other community groups who raise funds for us and some of them participate with practical projects to support our work. We greatly appreciate the grant aid from Biddulph Town Council.
In September 2008, we were awarded the very prestigious Queens Award for Voluntary Service delivered by The Duke of Gloucester. The celebration was held at Biddulph Town Hall.
If you would like to be a volunteer, you will be very welcome to join our Biddulph In Bloom volunteers. We are a practical caring and friendly group working mostly outdoors; we meet every Monday and Thursday around the year, rain or shine!
Meetings are held at Biddulph Town Hall Council Chambers. Our AGM is held at the end of January each year.
Information from:
Lesley Drumm – 15 August 2023
Email address: biddulphinbloom@gmail.com
Website: www.biddulphinbloom.org.uk
