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Background to the Campaign

Britain in Bloom was originally developed by the British Tourist Authority in 1963.  Its aim was to find a single title winner from entries across the UK.  Now with 10 categories and nine special awards, Britain in Bloom has matured into the largest horticultural competition in the UK with almost 1,400 entries annually.

Britain in Bloom is focused around four core pillars:

• horticultural excellence
• community involvement
• environmental friendliness
• sustainability

Communities like Portsmouth that are already involved in Britain in Bloom have seen many benefits:

• an increase in civic pride by allowing people to plan and manage their local environments
• long term improvement in the local environment through planting, floral displays and high levels of cleanliness
• a boost to the local economy through increased tourism
• regeneration of run down and disadvantaged areas
• stimulation of voluntary work co-operation between community groups
• a means to address issues such as sustainability, recycling, minimising waste and energy conservation
  

Britain in Bloom encourages involvement from all sectors of the community, from private gardens to owners of large industrial estates, to work together to improve cities such as ours.