Green-fingered volunteers have been putting the finishing touches to flower displays in Usk in preparation for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) judges’ arrival last week.

Over a 12 day period, nine pairs of judges will see 70 finalists, as the 2015 Britain in Bloom gets underway.

Selected last year to represent Wales in the UK finals of Bloom – Europe’s biggest community gardening campaign – Usk in Bloom is hoping for top marks in order to be crowned best in category at the glittering Britain in Bloom awards ceremony in Sunderland on 16th October.

Usk’s entry has received backing from Wales Secretary Stephen Crabb and First Minister Carwyn Jones, who toured the town’s attractions earlier this year.

RHS judges Martyn Hird and Kim Parrish met community representatives and toured local projects, taking into consideration three key criteria; horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility, that demonstrated across public spaces such as town or city centres, parks and communal gardens, as well as natural spaces including conservation areas and wildflower meadows.

Each group’s final score also takes into account a whole range of complementary factors, from the condition of street furniture to the engagement of young people in ‘bloom’ activities.

More than 35 volunteers have invested over 1,200 hours to earn Usk a place in this year’s finals, transforming derelict land into community gardens, greening grey spaces, brightening up streets with floral displays, litter-picking and encouraging local schools to get stuck in to gardening and much more.

As part of their commitment to creating green spaces in their communities, this year’s 70 finalists have together planted an astonishing 2,000,000 plants, trees and bulbs over the past year.

Tony Kear, Chairman of Usk in Bloom, said: “For our volunteers, this is a real honour and privilege to represent Wales in the most prestigious Britain in Bloom category of Champion of Champions. It’s been a remarkable nine months of meticulous planning and implementation where so many of the business community and residents have come together to make Usk look at its finest.

“Many a seasoned Usk in Bloom volunteer, resident and visitor have said Usk has never looked better. The compliments have been extraordinary and none more so that during the successful Open Garden Weekends and from the five independent judges who supported the recent judging of the Town Competition.

“Whatever the outcome of the judging, the community response has been extraordinary. To have the First Minister Carwyn Jones and the Secretary of State for Wales visit and participate in our campaign has been very humbling. We are delighted and proud of the quality of our work this year”.

The judges were enthusiastic about their first impressions of the town. Kim Parrish said: “We had an absolutely fantastic welcome. Last night we walked around to stretch our legs and it was lovely to see so many people out deadheading and going over all the final details.” Martyn Hird added: “We are looking forward to seeing the community as it is a very community focused campaign here in Usk the town of flowers!”

Each finalist will be awarded a gold, silver-gilt, silver or bronze medal. There is also an award for best in category, as well as special discretionary awards given for achieving excellence in particular fields.

Assembly Member Nick Ramsay was pleased to be invited to meet the judges of the Usk In Bloom competition yesterday when Usk was looking at its best for judging day.

Many months of planning and hard work by all the volunteers involved with the annual Usk in Bloom event had certainly paid off.

Speaking after the judging Nick said, “I know how hard many people have worked to make Usk’s floral display one of the best in Britain and the great community participation this demonstrates.

“I also enjoyed the performance by the choir.”