WILMSLOW’S In Bloom team are working on ways to enable people to still enjoy the appearance of the town despite the cancellation of this year’s RHS Britain in Bloom UK finals because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ruth Menlove, chairman of Wilmslow In Bloom said: “Our In Bloom team will, of course, have to work in different ways to keep every volunteer safe, but we are working towards ways in which both residents and visitors should still be able to enjoy the overall appearance of the town.

“The Wilmslow In Bloom team has already sketched outline plans to help ensure the town can still appear vibrant and colourful but, inevitably we will have to work within guidelines by meeting national restrictions for operation without our control.

“For the next few months we will be working in our own spaces – growing plants from seed, taking cuttings and generally making plans.

“The Yarnbombers have already confirmed they will be knitting and crocheting during their time in isolation.

"Our community project this year revolves around road and street name signs, and we think this can go ahead – indeed it might be just the panacea to use the ‘In Bloom’ umbrella to help keep us all together.

“We are asking individual residents to add some TLC to their nearest street name sign. Perhaps cleaning away the moss but certainly decorating with plants or yarns. This will obviously be easier if the sign is embedded in earth.

“If this activity hits your spot, take a photograph of the sign before you begin work and then afterwards. I’m sure that Lisa would welcome any before and after shots."

Wilmslow in Bloom can be contacted on Facebook,

An RHS spokesman said: “Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, this year’s RHS Britain in Bloom UK finals competition will not be going ahead.

“This is a worldwide and unprecedented challenging time for so many people, and of course the health and safety of communities, volunteers and judges remains our number one priority.

“With the Government advising everyone to follow social distancing measures, it is sadly not currently possible for finalists to carry out their usual community gardening activities. Communities put huge year-round effort into Britain in Bloom to the benefit of both people and the environment and we know our 70 finalists will be very disappointed.

“The decision has not been taken lightly and we hope that many groups will want to participate again in 2021."