Tiny Derbyshire village selected to compete in Britain in Bloom

It is hoped a tiny Derbshire village will '˜bloom' for the judges after it was shortlisted to take part in the UK's most prestigious gardening competition.
Will Elmton bloom for the judges on August 9?Will Elmton bloom for the judges on August 9?
Will Elmton bloom for the judges on August 9?

Elmton village, made up of just 45 properties, is one of only 76 areas selected to compete in RHS Britain in Bloom- a nationwide campaign which celebrates and encourages the positive impact of gardening in communities.

No stranger to the regional competition, East Midlands in Bloom, Elmton has already taken home the title of Best Small Village in the East Midlands for the past three years.

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The village still hopes to achieve the cherished gold in this year’s EMIB awards, having previously received bronze, silver and silver gilt awards since 2005.

Elmton residents are ‘delighted’ to have been selected for the national finals and look forward to competing with the likes of Clovelly, Aberdeen, Truro and Ballymena.

Britain in Bloom is about much more than just flowers. The judges look for good practice in horticulture, care of the environment and clear indications of community involvement.

Elmton has a created a community orchard, tidied and replanted the School Room garden, renovated the Carriage House, established a wild life area on the green and generally enhanced the look of the village.

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For 2018, a prominent planted area has been created in the centre of the village to welcome visitors.

New seats have been installed for the many walkers and cyclists that come through the village.

Other areas of the village have been given a tidy up and a herb garden created within the community orchard.

Interpretation boards have been installed explained the history and natural aspects of the village. The boards are then used as part of a Elmton Village Trail to help guide people through the many interesting features in the village. Four community beehives are producing Elmton honey to be sold in the pub, The Elm Tree Inn.

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Plans are also well under way to restore the village pinfold in local Derbyshire magnesian limestone. A pinfold was traditionally used to keep stray animals in with a fee being paid to the keeper for their release.

Elmton hosted its annual festival in the last weekend of June with three well dressings, five open gardens, exhibitions, a poppy cascade with over 1,000 hand knitted poppies, cream teas and a brass band.

This year’s event raised over £4,000 for local and national charities, an increase of 30 per cent on the previous years’ total.

The judging for Britain in Blooom will take place on Thursday, August 9 from 9am.