RHS It's Your Neighbourhood Awards

This non-competitive category of Britain in Bloom is aimed at smaller volunteer-led community groups who are greening up their local environment. 

It is open to groups throughout the Region, not just those in areas which enter the main Northumbria in Bloom competition.  It could be a group of residents improving their street, a conservation group, scouts or guides clearing an area and planting bulbs, a church congregation improving the churchyard. 

There were 46 entries from across the Region in 2011. The results are here.

The 2012 Entry Form is here.·

There are three Core Pillars of It's Your Neighbourhood:

• Community Participation (40%)
• Environmental Responsibility (30%)
• Gardening Achievement (30%)

There are five levels of achievement:

• Level 1 Establishing    0 - 35 points
• Level 2 Improving    36 - 52 points
• Level 3 Developing    53 - 68 points
• Level 4 Thriving    69 - 85 points
• Level 5 Outstanding    86 - 100 points

While entries are not judged against each other, they are visited by Britain in Bloom assessors who provide valuable feedback and helpful advice on how to develop current activities and encourage on-going improvements. 

For more information click the link below or contact Northumbria in Bloom

www.rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom/GettingStarted/neighbourhood_awards.html

In some areas, there have been concerns about Health & Safety law being a barrier to volunteering activities.  The Health & Safety Executive has published Health and Safety Made Simple guidance to explain that health and safety does not have to be complicated and that a risk assessment is about identifying sensible measures to control risks.  The guidance document is here and local authorities are being encouraged to use it.  If you want to carry out an environment improvement project and have concerns about your responsibilities, contact your local authority parks department.