Milford entered the Royal Horticultural Society East Midlands in Bloom competition again, as it has done for the past 5 years, and was judged on the 8th July 2026. This was the cumulation of a years work by Belper Town Council, Blooming Milford, Milford Social Club, The Old Bike Shop, The Holly Bush, Milford Community Greenspace and Bridge View Allotments tending their various areas in the village and then an intense 3 weeks before judging preparing and tidying the judging route by these groups and an army of volunteers who braved the heat and dust every night to tidy Chevin Road and the A6. Many thanks to all those involved – the village along the judging route still looks lovely, as can be seen in the photos below, especially considering the intense heat and lack of rain we’ve had.
Milford Social Club
The Triangle
The Old Bike Shop
The A6
King William
The War Memorial
Hollyhocks on The Greenspace
Chris Ring Community Orchard
Community Garden at the bottom of Millers Way flats
Lavender Walk
Autumn Garden
The Holly Bush
The route this year was Milford Social Club – The Triangle community garden – drive to the War Memorial at the bottom of Hopping Hill – The Greenspace – Church Steps – public footpath from East Terrace to the Chris Ring Community Orchard in Bridge View Allotments – return to The War Memorial – drive to the ramp by the Derwentside office building on Millers Way – ramp down to riverside path – Autumn Garden – back up to the community garden at the bottom of the flats on Millers Way – drive to The Old Post Office on the A6 – drive to the Holly Bush – drive to The Social Club. This differs slightly from last year with less time being spent on the riverside path in order to make time to see Bridge View Allotments.
The judges seemed impressed – but we don’t get to hear the result until mid September. Whatever the result, it is nice to see the village looking so good.
