Summer is approaching and the gardeners amongst us are out and about, tidying and planting, and replacing the casualties from last winter’s heavy frosts. This brings us to Peebles in Bloom once again and your Community Council are keen to return this event to the prominence it held before Covid struck. We know that many in the town get great pleasure from their gardening and from seeing other gardens that are bursting with colour or that demonstrate great design. We love the hanging baskets and tubs in the High Street too. Many people like to have their efforts recognised and over the years the event has collected a series of cups and trophies worthy of the different garden styles they represent. Of course, there is more to flowers than just gardens and some of our businesses make a tremendous effort to brighten up the town and these also deserve recognition. Nor should we forget Bonnie Peebles and Bonnie Peebles Plus which do such great work with the floral displays around the town.

Volunteer members of the Community Council are managing the event again this year and I applaud their efforts as there is a lot to manage. Firstly, in July, Community Councillors are each delegated an area of the town to walk around, and they put forward those gardens and business premises whose displays impress them the most. This is a fair task on its own. Each member walking more than 10,000 steps to complete their area. Then there is a review to create a manageable short list and then independent judges make the final decisions by touring the town in August.

There are 10 categories:

• Large garden
• Medium garden
• Small garden
• Courtyard garden
• Business premises
• Community garden
• Very small garden
• Best street
• All year-round garden
• Secret garden These are not easily seen from the road, so we depend on folk nominating their own or someone else’s garden (contact details for nominations to secretary@ccrbpeebles.co.uk)

So, if you see someone looking over your garden gate and making notes on a clipboard, it’s probably one of us and nothing to worry about!

This year there is also a sunflower competition for children aged 12 and under. Sunflowers are the national flower of Ukraine. Our thoughts are with the Ukrainians in our community, and we join them in hoping for a just peace and a swift return to normality in their homeland.

The tallest sunflower will win, and judging will take place during the second week in August so better get planting now!

Finally, all the trophies need to be collected from previous winners, trophies cleaned, and engraved. Runners’ up certificates printed, the Burgh Hall booked, the hall decorated, teas and coffees and a raffle organised, and invitations sent out to garden owners and businesses. A lot of work for our small group of volunteers.

Peter Maudsley

Chair

Peebles and District Community Council