A new civic award to be presented to Ledbury residents who have played a significant role in community projects will be one of two exciting new schemes planned by the Ledbury in Bloom team for their 2012 entry.

The Ledbury in Bloom Diamond Award will see local residents nominating friends, family and community group members and local volunteers in one of four categories: Community, Sport, Education and Environment. ‘Ledbury in Bloom has been commended by the Heart of England judges for its community participation and we wanted to give something back to the community in 2012 by recognising Ledbury residents who go that extra mile to support the Ledbury community’.

In addition to the new award scheme, Ledbury in Bloom are marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and are looking to attract 60 local residents – one born each year since the Coronation in 1953 – to take part in an ambitious project, named Team Jubilee, to record their thoughts and ideas about previous Royal connections with the town, issues relating to the local environment, and suggestions for Ledbury in Bloom schemes. ‘We hope to build a fascinating picture of Ledbury in 2012 based on the ideas and opinions of local people’ said Gareth Morgan, Ledbury in Bloom’s Chairman.

Ledbury in Bloom volunteers will also be on the lookout for local gardens and business premises worthy of a special mention when the Heart of England judges visit in the summer. ‘The Ledbury in Bloom entry is not restricted to the High Street, Homend and Walled Garden. The judges take into account the whole town when marking our entry so we wanted to recognise those who make a significant contribution’.

The team are still hoping to attract new volunteers to take part in their ‘Going for Gold’ themed entry which should see the whole town festooned in glorious orange, yellow, gold and white blooms and it is hoped the theme will be adopted by local residents, traders and businesses throughout the town.