It has been incredible year for Milford this year regarding “in Bloom” and gardening awards. The judges were obviously impressed following Milford’s Gold award in the regional East Midlands in Bloom (EMIB) competition in 2023, because in 2024 they nominated us to enter the national Britain in Bloom (BIB) competition – so in 2024 we were in both the EMIB and BIB competitions and it was always going to be a big year.
The preparations were all year, but they began in earnest in June.
Britain in Bloom banner on Children’s Play Area railings
Everyone in the village was sent a flyer asking for help in the tidy up and a “Big Milford Tidy Up” WhatsApp group was created for the volunteers. The response was fantastic – over 20 people volunteered and every weekday evening 7.30pm-8.30pm they diligently tidied the judging route. East Midlands in Bloom judgement day was on the 10th July and Britain in Bloom on the 7th August and the judges on both occasions seemed impressed. Whatever the results of the judges, the village was considerably more tidy for us all to enjoy thanks to the efforts of the volunteers.
Volunteers clearing in front of The Social Club
Ashley Franklin took a series of photos during the Britain in Bloom judging, which can be seen here, and the Derbyshire Times did an article, which can be seen here.
Here are a couple of Ashley’s photos.
BIB judges with Kate Tuck on The Greenspace
BIB judges and David Moreton on The Triangle
Other places in the village were entered in associated categories too and all put on an excellent show.
Milford Social Club – Best Commercial Premises category
The Old Bike Shop – Best Front Garden category
The Holly Bush – Best Pub category
At around the same time Milford also entered in Belper Town Council’s Beautiful Belper, Nature-Friendly and Peat-Free Gardening Awards. Following judging on 7th July Milford came top in the Community Garden category (for The Greenspace) and also top in the Wildlife Corridor category for Blooming Milford’s riverside walk in Hopping Mill Meadow.
Greenspace members with judges
Blooming Milford members after judging
There was then a couple of months until the EMIB and BIB competition results, but they were worth the wait! First, for the second year running, Milford got a Gold award, the highest grade, in the regional East Midlands in Bloom (EMIB) competition in the “Village” category. The awards were handed out at St Mary’s Church, Melton Mowbray on 25th September.
This is an incredible achievement for the village and thanks must go to everyone who helped make the village look so beautiful and tidy ready for the judging. Meanwhile, Silver Gilt awards were given The Old Bike Shop (best front garden award), The Holly Bush (best pub garden) and Milford Social Club (best commercial premises), excellent achievements among stiff competition (over 100 entries).
In addition, a special Judges Award was also given to “Lavender Walk” at the top end of Millers Way, for their lovely front gardens.
Full comments from the EMIB judges, with suggestions for the future, can be seen here. Judges Comments
Then on 21st October in Old Trafford, the national Britain in Bloom (BIB) awards were announced. A group of Greenspace volunteers went up on the day – normally on Mondays they’re wearing their roughest clothes and working hard improving and tidying the often muddy Greenspace – but today it was glad rags and not a speck of mud!
But they were in for a very pleasant surprise when it came to the results. Milford received a Gold award in the village category – an amazing achievement. But probably even more gratifying was the additional award by the judges for Outstanding Volunteer Involvement – for this Milford got more points than anyone else, and it reflects the huge efforts all the volunteers in the village put in. The judges were impressed that such a small village could achieve so much.
Britain in Bloom Gold award for Milford 2024
Outstanding Volunteer Involvement Award for Milford
Thanks should also go to Belper Town Council at this point for their lovely displays in planters and hanging baskets throughout the village and all the watering and removal of green waste they do. Without them the village would not have got the EMIB or BIB awards.
Milford’s award can be seen on the RHS website here.
Scroll down to see Milford. We also featured on East Midlands today, below.
Full comments from the BIB judges, with suggestions for the future, can be seen here. BIB judges comments
