Schoolchildren, gardeners and community groups are being urged to dig in for a wider community effort as the 2026 In Bloom campaign gets under way, with organisers hoping to attract more schools, streets and local projects.
The 2026 Tiverton In Bloom competition was launched at Blundell’s School on Thursday, March 19, with councillors, pupils and members of school communities attending.
Mayor of Tiverton Cllr Neal Davey said the competition had a long history in the town and that community involvement would again be central to this year’s entry.
Cllr Davey said: “Thank you to Blundell’s School for hosting this. Tiverton in Bloom is all about gardening, growing and bringing the community together.
“The competition began in 1964 and Tiverton first entered in 1966. Councillor Wally Burke was involved back then and has continued to support it ever since, helping the town achieve several gold awards. It is fantastic that he is still involved today.”
He said judges for the national and regional competition are expected to visit Tiverton in the summer.
Cllr Davey said: “Judges will visit Tiverton for a day, likely in June or July, and will assess a wide range of areas.
“Gardening and floral displays are important, but so is community participation and environmental responsibility. The competition has broadened in recent years and involvement from residents and schools is vital.”
Residents will also be able to take part in Tiverton’s own local competition, including by entering their gardens, streets and shared spaces.
Cllr Davey said: “If you are a keen gardener, you can enter your own garden, your street or any shared space you are involved in.
“There is a lot to get involved in. We have projects across the town, including the hospital garden, Tivvy Trailblazers, Sustainable Tiverton and a youth-led sustainability project with a shop in Bampton Street.
“It is great to see people of all ages taking part. Photographs of what you are growing can be submitted to the Town Hall and will form part of a portfolio for the competition.”
Cllr Sue Griggs said she hoped schools would play a bigger role this year.
Cllr Griggs said: “I am really pleased that more schools are getting involved this year.
“The more people we have taking part in gardening and growing, the better it will be for the town and for our In Bloom entry.
“We want to make this a strong year for Tiverton, so I would encourage everyone to get involved and enjoy it. We are also hoping to introduce a scarecrow theme across the town as a fun way for the community to take part.”
Charlie Olive, from Blundell’s School and who leads community partnerships, said the school had developed its garden over a number of years and hoped others would be inspired to take part.
Charlie said: “The garden was once the headmaster’s vegetable patch, but over the past ten years pupils have transformed it.
“Raised beds were first built by Year 7 and Year 8 pupils about nine years ago, and since then it has grown to include a pond and areas that support wildlife, including bees.”
Charlie said the school had entered the competition for the past six years and encouraged others to join.
Charlie said: “We have entered Tiverton in Bloom for six years. In the first year we were the only school to enter, so we won, but now I would really welcome some competition.
“You do not need a large garden to take part. It could be something as simple as a display of pots by a front door. We hope to run workshops to share ideas that schools and families can take away and use themselves.”
Charlie also highlighted a personal link to the competition.
Charlie said: “The cup we were awarded was presented by WH Dunsford, who was my grandfather and mayor of Tiverton in the 1960s, so there is a special connection for me.
“I have been teaching for 30 years and gardening has always been part of that. I would love to see every school in Tiverton get involved.”
