A Huntingdonshire town will be hoping to duplicate its success in the annual Anglia in Bloom competition when it takes on other towns across the country on the national stage this summer.
Sawtry is looking to beat a host of other small towns nationwide in the Royal Horticultural Society's Britain in Bloom 2026.
Sawtry is in the small town category and is facing opposition from Alderley Edge in Bloom, Edwinstowe in Bloom, Goring on Thames in Bloom, Stonehouse in Bloom, Tidy Randalstown, and Wareham Community Growers.
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The town won Best Special Feature (30 Years of Anglia in Bloom) for the planter on the St Andrews Flyover in last year's Anglia in Bloom.
Also representing the Anglia in Bloom region in the national contest is Chatteris which won Best Town, and also was awarded 'gold' for a third year running.
Chatteris will be competing against Blooming Haddington in Scotland, Glastonbury in Bloom, and Henley in Bloom in the Town category.
More than a third (41%) of the community gardening groups that will compete this summer are new to the national competition.
A total of 18 of the 44 groups competing in 2026 are first-time finalists, including Poltimore in Bloom (East Devon) and Dover in Bloom.
All the finalists performed to a high standard in the regional level of the competition and will now be judged for an RHS gold, silver gilt, silver and bronze medal and compete to be named winner in their nominated category and the competition overall.
That such a high proportion of groups are competing on the national stage for the first time this year comes despite RHS research that shows the hurdles many groups continue to face day-to-day.
More than half (52%) of Bloom groups are worried for their future despite an increase in volunteer numbers (51%), with 25% operating on budgets of less than £500 a year.
There are 17 Britain in Bloom Regions that nominate their highest-performing entries to compete in the RHS-run UK Finals.
Each of the finalists will be visited by a pair of judges in summer 2026, and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in the autumn.
If you are inspired to get involved in community gardening in your area, find out more at www.rhs.org.uk/community.
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