June 13th 2023
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and BBC's The One Show are thrilled to announce applications are open for their new competition, celebrating the incredible efforts of community gardeners nationwide.
The RHS and The One Show Growing Together Award for Community Gardening celebrates Britain in Bloom with a new ‘Growing Together’ community gardening award and invites community groups from across the country to enter. Applicants will demonstrate how they have transformed an unloved and unused local space into somewhere to be enjoyed by the whole community, and along the way have introduced new people to the joys of gardening. By highlighting the work of these community gardeners, the competition will showcase their vital contribution to the environment and social well-being.
Opening today (13th June), the competition encourages groups from all walks-of-life to share their stories of transforming their local area and building community spirit. Whether it is a neighbourhood project or an urban oasis, the organisations are looking for transformed spaces of all shapes and sizes. Participants will be encouraged to share their stories and experiences, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. The winning group will receive £500 in garden centre vouchers, with £50 vouchers for the runners up.
Entrants must have transformed their space within the past 18 months, and will be assessed on a range of criteria including the difference they have made to individual participants, the local environment and their wider community. A panel from the RHS and BBC’s The One Show, including community activist and garden designer Tayshan Hayden-Smith who himself helped transform the initial Grenfell Garden of Peace in North Kensington, will help assess the entries, recognising every group that participates and selecting the overall winners.
Tayshan said: “It fills me with pride to see community gardens get the spotlight they deserve – especially through this exciting collaboration with the BBC’s The One Show and the RHS. Community gardens truly help people grow together, and I can’t wait to celebrate all of those communities that help introduce people from all backgrounds, to the benefits of gardening”.
Applications close at 6pm on Tuesday 11 July, and results will be announced on the BBC’s The One Show on Monday 23 October. To learn more about the RHS and The One Show Growing Together Community Gardening Competition, including terms and conditions, and to submit an entry, please click here or contact communities@rhs.org.uk with any questions.
Source: RHS Press Release 13/06/2023