Launched by sponsors Visit Isle of Wight and Red Funnel, the start of ‘Wight in Bloom 2018’ was announced aboard Red Funnel’s Red Eagle car ferry yesterday (Wednesday) during a special launch event.
Visit Isle of Wight is the other main sponsor of ‘Wight in Bloom’ this year with David Thornton appointed as co-ordinator for the competition.
Speaking to those gathered, Will Myers, the new Managing Director of Visit Isle of Wight said that Wight in Bloom is an excellent way to engage with the Island community. He maintained that the Island was an amazing place to come and visit, as well as a special place to live.
Ian Boyd, who heads up Arc Consulting showed a display of ‘Natural History’ and explained that the choice of plants in gardens is crucial to the good welfare of wildlife. He pointed out that for caterpillars to successfully become butterflies they need to complete their full life circle by living in an environment of the right plants.
Good gardens are not just about flowers or lawns but encouraging wildlife which will hibernate in hollow stems, if they are provided, or could find a man made home which had been made by drilling holes in any suitable timber. There are many wild bees at a garden site in Newchurch and they have been encouraged by providing the right conditions.
Entry forms for Wight in Bloom are now available Island-wide, including at garden centres, and entry can be made online at www.wightinbloom.org. Entries close on 30th June.
Judging will take place during July and the awards will be presented by Wight in Bloom patron Alan Titchmarsh MBE in September.
Prizes include trophies, gift vouchers, ferry travel vouchers and gardening tools.
