East in Bloom 2022 competition

The East Sunderland Area Committee is hosting its very own East in Bloom 2022 competition for residents, community groups and local businesses to brighten up their own neighbourhood and to get involved in improving and caring for their local environment.

The idea is based on the original Northumbria in Bloom campaign, which runs every year to recognise, encourage and reward community groups who work together to transform their village, town or city through gardening, environmental awareness and community support.
 
East in Bloom was launched in Winter 2021 to allow time for people to plan, plot and plant their entries between Winter 2021 and Spring 2022, ready to apply and be judged in the Summer 2022.

The aims of the East in Bloom competition are to create:

• A stronger sense of pride of place, contributing to reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour
• A cleaner and greener place to live and visit, with higher environmental awareness
• Increased visitor numbers to the area and a stronger local economy
• New and closer partnerships between the council, businesses and community groups
• Higher volunteer numbers, enabling community groups to have a bigger impact in their area

Who can enter

Anyone who lives or works in the East Sunderland area can enter. The East area includes the Doxford, Hendon, Millfield, Ryhope and St Michael's wards, and also the city centre. The Sunderland East map shows the areas and wards.

You can nominate yourself, a neighbour's garden, or even other properties that you think are attractive and deserve recognition.

Entry is FREE.

If you're a child or young person under the age of 18 years, please get a parent or carer to enter on your behalf.

Categories

There are a number of different categories. You are welcome to enter as many of the categories as you like. The categories are:

• Best Kept Garden
• Best Yard
• Best Container Display
• Best School Gardening Project
• Best Community Effort (for example restoring land; converting a disused space; local retailers transforming a high street; Friends Group working together on a park project)
• Best Kept Commercial Premises
• Gardening for Wildlife Award
• Best Volunteer Gardener of the Year (19 years+)
• Best Young Gardener Volunteer of the Year (18 years and under)
• Tallest Sunflower Competition (under 16 years only)

How to enter

To register for the competition please complete the East in Bloom 2022 entry form.

Entries must be received by 30 June 2022.

We will contact all entries during July 2022 to arrange visits over the following few week. Winners will be announced shortly afterwards.

Each entry will receive an East in Bloom Certificate of Achievement, and each category will have a first, second and third prize winner.

If you have any questions about the competition or would like more information, please contact community.resilience@sunderland.gov.uk