> Wetherby in Bloom

Wetherby's aspirations to become one of the best floral towns in Britain began with small beginnings in 1989 when an entry was made in the regional Yorkshire in Bloom competition. This first entry consisted of a few hanging baskets and a couple of hayracks. Since that tentative entry Wetherby has become an acknowledged champion of floral display in Yorkshire, the United Kingdom and Europe having won the best Town category of Britain in Bloom in 1998, been awarded a silver gilt in the same competition in 2002 and a coveted European Entente Florale Gold award in 1999 and been judged the small town category winner of the Communities in Bloom International Challenge in 2005. The driving force behind this achievement has been the volunteer group known as Wetherby in Bloom.

Interest and colour is provided year round in the award winning Wilderness riverside car park (which happens to be free) along with sustainable evergreen planting throughout the town. Spring is when the town takes on a more colourful tone with bedding displays in the area of Bridge Foot and the Garden of Rest along with hanging baskets and freestanding planters in strategic parts of the town. Mid June through to late September is when Wetherby's floral extravaganza comes into its own with over 250 hanging baskets, 40 plus feature planters, displays in commercial premises and summer bedding in public areas including the Garden of Rest and Bridge Foot.

A major element to Wetherby's success is the established partnership between the Wetherby community in the form of the volunteer group, local business, Wetherby Town Council and Leeds City Council. The co-ordinated efforts of theses groups make a significant contribution to the enhanced environment enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Click here to take a floral tour of Wetherby and find out more about Wetherby in Bloom before making the visit for real.