A spectacular floating garden party on board Red Eagle was the setting for the launch of this year’s “Wight in Bloom” (WIB) – a competition held to encourage Island residents and businesses to brighten up their gardens and improve the local environment.
Wight in Bloom was launched on Tuesday (26th May) in the presence of major sponsors – Visit Isle of Wight (VIOW) and Red Funnel Ferries – who have taken over management of the competition to help create a vibrant and welcoming environment for visitors.
The floating garden created by Ventnor Botanic Garden was unveiled to a packed audience of supporters, including previous winners of the annual competition. The launch event also honoured Peggy Jarman, the long-standing organiser of the competition, who is now retiring.
Peggy was made Honorary President at the launch and given the award of “Outstanding achievement” by Peter Holman, Chairman South and South East in Bloom.
Wight in Bloom is seen as a curtain-raiser to VIOW’S Garden Isle campaign, which will coincide with VisitEngland’s Year of the Garden 2016.
VIOW feel that their recent appointment of popular celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh MBE as Patron of Wight in Bloom will emphasise the Island’s green credentials and help inspire Islanders to get involved in Wight in Bloom this year.
David Thornton, CEO, Visit Isle of Wight said:
“Wight in Bloom is a fantastic opportunity for us to show off our Island to visitors and make it a brighter, greener place to live.
Article continues below this advertisement “We have already received media coverage on BBC South Today and feel that the backing of the gardening expert and TV host, will help drive increased interest in the Island”.
