'A privilege'- Fylde coast village Churchtown on cusp of National Britain in Bloom title

A Fylde coast village is preparing to welcome Britain in Bloom judges this week as volunteers hope to secure national success once again.

Volunteers in Churchtown, near Garstang, will be hoping for a repeat of 2023 when they won Britain in Bloom’s Best National Village award.

Churchtown has reached the national finals again this year and judges will be assessing the Fylde Coast village on Thursday 6 July.

Karen Davies, Coordinator for Churchtown in Bloom, spoke to The Gazette to explain what her group of volunteers has been up to in recent weeks. She said: “We started preparing for the regional competition weeks beforehand, and they took place in mid-July.

“From there, it's all about maintenance, keeping everything healthy and planning the route because we're marked on three categories – horticulture, biodiversity and community."

"It's really about preparation and looking to enjoy it. It's always a pleasure and a privilege once we get to this stage. You feel very proud to walk around your village with people who've never seen your work before."

Churchtown’s volunteers have had to battle some of the driest weather on record whilst preparing for the competition, and have received help from several neighbouring villages in the build up to this week.

"It's been really difficult this year to keep things watered enough to keep them alive and well,” Karen explained. But, equally, we've got to be careful how we use water because we've got to look after the environment."

"Our water butts have dried up, so we've had to use tap water. We're in a high flood-risk area, so we do respect the use of water, even when we're in a drought."

"Because it's been so hot, all the plants have been scorched. Deadheading in this heat has become something of an extreme sport."

Community spirit is one of the most important parts of village life, and in Churchtown, Karen says it's no different. With a population of just 300, Churchtown is one of the smallest villages left in this year’s competition.

The group works closely will St Helen’s, the village church, and Kirkland Primary, the village school. Beehives installed by Churchtown in Bloom at the primary school also provides a valuable income stream to the village when the honey is sold .

Karen added: "Because we're a small village, everybody knows everybody else and everybody looks out for everybody else. It's definitely not about all the planting and the flowers. It's about community."

"We're always out and visible, and because of the amount of events we run for charities, I think that's what makes us different. We've got a very strong feeling for our environment and protecting and enhancing wildlife and pollinators."

"Absolutely – we've got a chance of winning. It's like being in the World Cup, except we’ll hopefully do a bit better than England did."

"I think we’ll get a gold award, but whether we win the national title again, I don't know. It's not really about the competition for us. It's the joy of showing everybody what we do and sharing that. We're confident and we're happy, whatever happens."

Judging will take place from 9.30am on Thursday 6 July. Results for the competition will be announced in Autumn.