Biddulph In Bloom is a voluntary unpaid group with charity status who work 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 and in 2025 introduced ‘parklet’ gardens to Biddulph town centre, one outside the Royal Oak pub and one, the Hilda Sheldon memorial garden, on Wharf Road car 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 every month of the year, we plan, plant and maintain the summer displays throughout the town using plants which are grown locally. We maintain over 40 Memorial benches throughout Biddulph, given by members of the community. We weed, clean and lift the litter in our streets so that our town always looks its best for the community.
To continue and build in what we do fundraising is a vital 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 Pancake Day where we make pancakes for sale in the Town Hall, we hold an Open Gardens with approximately 12-14 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 and the support they give us.
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, the gardening team work mostly outdoors; we meet every Monday and Thursday around the year, rain or shine! We have other ways to get involved too from bench painters, to event organisers, to working with community groups and more. We are open to talk to you about how you can bring your skills and enthusiasm to our team.
Meetings are held locally with an annual AGM.
Information from:
Helen Wilshaw – Chair 2026
Email address: biddulphinbloom@gmail.com
Website: www.biddulphinbloom.org.uk
