Gainsborough in Bloom is a self-financed volunteer organisation that has been working since 2009 to improve the look and feel of the town for its residents, visitors, and businesses, aiming to make it as environmentally friendly as possible. They achieve this by collaborating with other groups in the town and receiving support from the Town and District Councils.
Regular monthly events are held to work on various sites, improving them with planting, litter picks, etc. Anyone is welcome to join in, and there are significant wellbeing and mental health benefits to be gained from volunteering. The group also enters the annual ‘In Bloom’ competition, which is judged in three categories: Horticultural Achievement, Environmental Responsibility, and Community Participation.
Last year, the group worked on various sites, including Theaker Avenue conservation area, and the entrances to the town, particularly Morton Corner. Their entry to the East Midlands in Bloom competition showcased these sites, along with The Old Hall gardens, The Plough meadow garden, Marshall’s Yard, Pitt Hill meadow, Richmond Park, and others.
This effort helped them secure a Silver award in the Large Town category, while Marshall’s Yard received a silver gilt in the Best Retail Park competition.
For 2025, the group is looking to improve further and has several ‘showstopper’ sites planned to impress the judges, including a boat to plant up, an allotment, and a school project. The group will continue to work with various groups and individuals to achieve these goals. They are keen to enter more award categories, with particular interest in working with schools with gardens, anyone with a garden they are proud of, gardening societies, pubs, and hotels.
For those interested in supporting the efforts, the group can be contacted via www.gainsboroughinbloom.co.uk or by calling Vaughan Hughes on 07738 397032. The group believes that by giving just a little of their time towards a common goal, people can achieve surprising things.