JUDGING DAY AND THE ITINERARY

IMPORTANT!    Information to be sent to the judges by the 30^th June 2008.

1. A Map that is clearly marked with easy read directions to meeting place and a parking area.( remember the judges may be travelling alone)  
2. Itinerary and map of judging route
3. Contact names and telephone numbers plus mobile telephone numbers in case of unforeseen delays. This must be written clearly.
4. Portfolios(2)

JUDGING DAY.

Top tips.

• Check route on the day prior to arrival of judges for timing and changes.
• All entry points. The Judges may not use the main route!
• Parking spaces reserved for judges.
• Comfort break on arrival, plus the offer of some refreshments, e.g. tea or coffee.
• Display of year’s activities at reception area?
• Umbrellas at the ready in case of inclement weather.
• Name Badges for all, Judges cannot always remember the names of everybody they are introduced to.
• Transport; make sure there is good visibility; N.B. Best transport has been found to be something similar to a people carrier, with a maximum of 3 people plus the driver to accompany the judges.
• Keep to time, especially when meeting people en route it is unfair to make them wait. Make sure you have provided for this when timing the route!
• Criteria make sure the judges see at least one area mentioned in each section.
• Press calls. Let the judges know about press calls so time can be added on. Try and include them in the itinerary if possible, as they will affect those you are meeting en route if not included in the timing.
• Receptions. The judges will be pleased to accommodate you however it is essential to pre warn them if you are planning a reception to meet prize-winners and others involved as their time is limited and they will need to plan their time accordingly. They may have another rendezvous in the afternoon or will have been elsewhere in the morning and timing could be tight.
• Timing. The judges will only judge for the time allocated to your category. This is important for the campaign to give all entrants a level playing field. Make sure your itinerary is not so full that the Judges cannot take in the information they need in order to make a fair judgement!!
• Relax enjoy the day and the Judges will too!

WHAT TO DO PRIOR TO THE JUDGES ARRIVAL

Ø      Consider the use of a 5 minute video or presentation/speech at the start of the visit to illustrate winter work or pre-visit activities (don’t however, turn it into a full length feature film). The judges will wish to discuss your portfolio at this time also and additional time, approximately 10 minutes maximum will be allocated for this purpose.

Ø      Prepare an itinerary, a map, which clearly highlights the judging route and portfolio and send to the judges by the 30^th June

Ø      When preparing the judging schedule, bear in mind that, if you can cover the route alone in an hour, on the day of judging this could stretch to one and a half or possibly two hours. Remember also that frequent stops to get in and out of the vehicle to view specific areas can also loose time. You will also need to bear in mind that the judges will also stop to take notes and photographs, allowance must be made for this otherwise you will run out of time.

Ø      Ensure there is a ‘photo-opportunity’ for the media/press, etc. The judges will be happy to answer questions and be photographed but try to keep this to one location if possible. The judges will stop the clock for this.

Ø      Make sure that whatever transport is used it is suitable for the task. They should have good visibility, be easily accessible and have sufficient room. (A people carrier or similar is most appropriate. Gimmicky transport scores no extra points and can be very inconvenient.)

Ø      The judges will expect to be accompanied throughout the tour by a maximum of four people, (one should be the driver), each of whom should be competent to answer any questions. Therefore decide in advance who the four representatives will be.

Ø      When planning the route, go through the information on the previous pages to ensure you are showing the judges everything they will want to see. 

HANGING BASKETS AND FOLIAGE ABOVE THE FOOTWAY

Ø      Well-planted and maintained hanging baskets can make a considerable contribution to the appearance of streets, particularly in town centres where this is often the only means available to introduce floral colour.

Ø      However it is essential that hanging baskets do not impede the free movement of pedestrians, this is particularly important for blind or partially sighted pedestrians who use the back edge of the footway or the building line as a guide.

Ø      The Association for the Blind have highlighted some of the difficulties that have been caused by incorrectly sited hanging basket displays. Pedestrians may suffer injury to the head or face, surprise or wetting from foliage if baskets are too low.

Ø      There is obvious risk to safety if pedestrians are forced to walk around low hanging baskets on a busy footway close to traffic.

Ø      Hanging Baskets together with their foliage when placed over the footway are covered by the regulations pertaining to Street Furniture and the mounting of Signs.

Ø      Section 6 of the DETR’s National Signs manual: (iii) Mounting Heights…they must obviously allow sufficient clearance for pedestrians; 2100mm (6 feet 10 inches) is the minimum recommended but 2150mm or 2300 mm is preferable.

Ø      If in doubt consult your Local Authority for further information concerning Health and Safety and Insurance.

PRESS CUTTINGS.

 It has been brought to our attention that the Newspaper Licensing Agency has clamped down on the use of copying of newspapers. In light of this we advise you to use only original cuttings rather than photocopies of newspaper coverage.

JUDGING GUIDELINES

        Judges look for the best so do not hesitate to show them your showpiece areas. Most entries also have less attractive areas and the judges will wish to see the efforts being made for the longer term future to improve eyesores and to disguise gap sites. In particular, no part of the entry should be littered and an active effort should be made to eliminate graffiti.

      Awards are made as follows:

¨      Gold An exceptional high standard throughout. A consistent approach which demonstrates both best practice and sustainable effort. It meets all of the judging criteria and objectives of the In Bloom and scores very highly in each section of the judging form.

¨      Silver-Gilt A high standard entry which meets the judging criteria and objectives of In Bloom, including sections of exceptionally high standard. Generally meets sustainable and quality thresholds, but may not be entirely consistent throughout the area. Offers potential to be a Gold Award winner in the future.

¨      Silver Considered to be an above-average entry which meets most of the judging criteria and objectives of In Bloom. The entry will include more than one section which demonstrates exceptionally high standards. In particular, the entry will demonstrate good sustainable standards and the potential to progress to Silver-Gilt.

¨      Bronze An average entry which meets most but not necessarily all the judging criteria and objectives of In Bloom. The entry will include at least one section which demonstrates an exceptional standard. In general, the entry will meet acceptable sustainable standards and will have the potential to progress to Silver.

¨      Award of Achievement The entry may have a number of good merits but did not quite reach the standards to achieve a higher award. This does not mean that they will not improve and could in fact be very near to achieving Bronze standard.

GUIDE TO WHAT THE JUDGES LOOK FOR WHEN MARKING

The marking form is laid out in five sections. There follows a guide to what the judges will be looking at and marking in these sections during their visit.

SECTION A – FLORAL DISPLAYS

Floral displays are an important element of the In Bloom campaign, but must be proportionate to the areas of sustainable planting and permanent landscaping within the entry.

Floral displays may be present in a number of locations and judges will wish to see evidence of community involvement. Typical displays will be located:

Ø      Publicly owned areas, including parks, publicly owned buildings, roadside areas and roundabouts.

Ø      Housing and residential areas, residential homes, hostels, etc.

Ø      Shopping areas, business areas, commercial premises, public houses, hotels, guest houses other visitor accommodation and garage forecourts.

Ø      Transportation terminals, e.g. railway stations, bus stations, car parks, etc.

Ø      Regional centres, trust-owned property and feature buildings.

THE JUDGES WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF:

Ø      Sustainability --- Proportion of sustainable planting v. bedding plants. The timing of displays.

Ø      Choice of plants --- Appropriate in terms of flowering period and habit. Sufficient variation, appropriate herbaceous plants.

Ø      Colours --- Is there a scheme or theme? Appropriate colours to the location.

Ø      Containers --- Aesthetically pleasing and well related to its planting and location. Should be able to support plants throughout the growing season in terms of their size and water retention qualities

Ø      Volume --- Assessment of too many/few plants to enhance the area.

Ø      Maintenance --- Watering, dead heading and weeding is very important. Appropriate feeding may be necessary.

Ø      Quality of plants --- Good quality plants, obviously flourishing. No signs of pests and diseases or deficiencies.

Ø      Special features --- Sometimes provided as a focal point and may include structures and/or intensive area of bedding.

Ø      Cultivation and maintenance of associated areas --- Floral displays are seen at their best in an appropriate setting. The surrounding landscape will be taken into account e.g. grassed areas.

Ø      Litter --- Throughout the entry there should be no litter.

Ø      Unoccupied property --- If these are eyesores have they been disguised by floral displays

SECTION B – PERMANENT LANDSCAPING INCLUDING SHRUBS

In addition to the areas mentioned in ‘floral displays’, judges will wish to see areas of permanent landscaping and planting. These could include:

Ø      Woodland, copse and shelterbelts.

Ø      Business parks and industrial estates.

Ø      Screen planting, open space areas, planting near factories, eyesores, etc.

Ø      Amenity planting near residential areas, car parks and shopping areas.

Ø      Headland areas, war memorials, verges and roundabouts.

Ø      Gap sites.

THE JUDGES WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF:

Ø      New planting --- How much new planting is undertaken on an annual basis. What longer term plans are in place for the whole area/district?

Ø      Choice of plants --- Appropriate varieties of both newly planted and recently (up to 5 years) planted areas (including mixes of trees, shrubs and herbaceous planting). Planting could be for foliage, flowering or bark effect. It may also be for something specific, such as conservation or to provide flowering or other effects for a defined period.

Ø      Quality of plants --- If they are of appropriate size for the planting situation and if they are appropriate for the soil type

Ø      Maintenance --- This may include irrigation considerations, weeding, thinning, trimming or pruning as appropriate.

Ø      Overgrown or unmanaged sites --- Whether there is planned action to tackle overgrown or unmanaged sites? If there is, will the community be involved with clearing the sites. Has the co-operation, co-ordination and liaison with the appropriate landowners been agreed.

Ø      Associated planting --- This may include bulb planting, ground cover planting, grass areas or bedding.

SECTION C- THE ENVIRONMENT-SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

    (NATURAL HABITATS, RECYCLING AND LOCAL AGENDA 21.)

The In Bloom objectives represent environmental standards which are designed to improve the areas where we live, work and spend our leisure time. Looking after our environment has become a key expectation as most of us are encouraged to recycle materials and use environmentally friendly products.

The judges will take account of schemes which are working towards providing environmental enhancements and which might include:

Ø      Establishing nature conservation and wildlife sites.

Ø      Cleaning up polluted sites

     (These could both be community lead)

Ø      Active policies to reduce the demand placed on naturally occurring resources such as the water used for plants, the use of peat and the use of hardwood timber.

Ø      The maintenance and preservation of natural habitats.

The judges will mark conservation and areas of natural habitat more highly if there is also an element of education to explain the activity underway, e.g. interpretation material or signage at appropriate/relevant points.

SECTION D – LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (CLEANLINESS)

Areas which have been landscaped to perfection can be spoilt by the effects of litter and graffiti. Additionally, the co-ordination of the presentation will be important to the overall effect and can be ruined by:

Ø      Untidy, overflowing or inappropriate litter bins.

Ø      Untidy, damaged, defaced or inappropriate street furniture.

Ø      Damaged, defaced or inappropriate signage.

Judges will give fewer points to entries where there is litter, graffiti, dog fouling, vandalism, fly-posting and where weeds are found on pavements or in gutters, where this is felt inappropriate.

In Bloom entrants should have a co-ordinated approach where all environmental issues are resolved in harmony with each other. This might extend to the appropriate treatment of screening derelict property or any other eyesore.

The objective is to produce an overall pleasing effect, with an attractive and clean landscape presented within the framework of a pleasing environment.

SECTION E – PUBLIC AWARENESS

In Bloom is a proactive campaign of communities creating long term improvements to the local environment.

Regular press releases and progress reports of In Bloom activity will maintain public interest and hopefully build support for the campaign, both in financial and practical terms.

The judges will be happy to meet the press/media and provide supportive comments concerning the entry. They will not indicate whether the entry is better or worse than any others judged.

The profiling of the campaign is important. Press cuttings should be retained for portfolios and In Bloom activities should be publicised through flyers, posters, notice boards, etc. The judges will look for evidence of these on the visit.

Community effort should be prevalent throughout. Public support will oil the wheels of fundraising efforts.

PUBLIC AWARENESS AND COMMUNITY EFFORTS WILL ENHANCE THE CHANCES OF THE COVERTED GOLD AWARD.