Rugby in Bloom commemorates the end of The Great War

The Great War ended on 11 November 1918 and the council's annual gardening contest commemorates the centenary by encouraging residents, schools and businesses to mark the milestone with a floral tribute.

Rugby in Bloom has become the highlight of the borough's horticultural calendar, and includes categories catering for seasoned gardeners and enthusiastic beginners.

Categories for residents include best small garden, best first-time entrant and best organic vegetable plot.

Business categories cater for pubs, hotels, garden centres, community buildings and places of worship, while nurseries, play groups and schools can also enter. 

Pupils at Brownsover Community School have embraced the end of The Great War theme and started sowing the seeds for Rugby in Bloom success.

The school has sown a vegetable patch in the playground and created dozens of poppies out of wool.

Other Rugby in Bloom projects underway at the school in Webb Drive include sowing seeds for a poppy 'field' in the grounds and making soldier and nurse uniforms for pupils.

Cllr Lisa Parker, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for environment and public realm, visited Brownsover Community School to officially launch this year's Rugby in Bloom.

She said: "Rugby in Bloom brightens up the borough and generates a real sense of community spirit.

"We're looking forward to receiving a bumper crop of entries this year while reflecting on such a significant centenary and remembering those who lost their lives during the First World War."

Application forms, and more information about this year's Rugby in Bloom, can be found at www.rugby.gov.uk/rugbyinbloom 

All entries must be received by Monday 2 July.

Businesses interested in sponsoring floral displays for Rugby in Bloom can call the council's parks and grounds team on (01788) 533706 or email talkinthepark@rugby.gov.uk 

Photo caption: Cllr Lisa Parker, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for environment and public realm, joined pupils at Brownsover Community School for the official launch of Rugby in Bloom.