2012 portfolio - Norwich In Bloom

ContentsPage 1 - IntroductionPage 2 - Trustees and Action Team Members 2012Section A – Horticultural AchievementPage 3 - Tree ManagementPage 5 - Spring DisplaysPage 6 - Summer, Perennial and Sustainable PlantingsPage 7 - Norfolk and Norwich Crocosmia HeritageSection B – Environmental ResponsibilityPage 9 - Environmental Strategy – Norwich City CouncilPage 11 - Local Heritage and Pride of PlacePage 12 - Water Wise Resource ManagementPage 13 - Natural Areas, Wildlife and WildflowersPage 15 - Street Cleansing and Waste ManagementSection C – Community ParticipationPage 16 - It’s Your Neighbourhood – Wild About FlowersPage 17 - Growing PartnershipsPage 18 - Grapes Hill Community GardenPage 19 - The Friends of Marlpit WoodsPage 20 - Schools and Youth InvolvementPage 22 - Local Competitions – SchoolsPage 24 - Local Competitions – Sponsored By ChapelfieldPage 25 - Promotion, Publicity and Media AttentionPage 26 - 25 th Celebrations of The Friends of Norwich in BloomPage 27 - Friends of Norwich in Bloom – Future Aims and Business PlanPage 28 - SponsorshipPage 29 - Sponsors, Grants, Donations and Fund RaisingPage 30 - Diary

IntroductionThe City of Norwich, its Community and The Friends of Norwich in BloomNorwich is the largest concentration of population and employment in the East of England andhas been so since medieval times. Up until the 1780’s it was England’s second city. The cityitself in June 2012 had an electorate of 102,620. It has a close bond to the surroundingcountryside and is rich in green spaces: the City covers an area of nearly 4,000 hectares, ofwhich 25% is undeveloped land.It is a compact city – walkable, accessible and human in scale. It is economically dynamic, thecity’s present-day prosperity underpinned by growth in the creative, new media, scientific andtechnology sectors. Norwich is also among the top 10 destinations for both shopping andtourism in the whole of the UK.In terms of local government in the UK,Norwich is at the district level and isadministered by Norwich City Council.It is directly responsible for someservices, notably spatial planning,parks & open spaces, housing andculture. Other services, such aseducation and social services, areprovided by Norfolk County Council.In line with good practice promoted bycentral government, a local strategicpartnership (LSP) brings together thepublic, private and voluntary sectors inorder to work jointly to solve problemsand plan for the future across all policyareas. This City of Norwich Partnership(CoNP) has operated since 2003 andcomprises a diverse range of over 90organisationsNorwich Environmental Assets:23 parks - with a total area of 131 hectares44 open spaces - total area 58 hectares30 major roundabouts and traffic island displays110 planter, hanging and barrier basket displaysAround 3 million spring flowering bulbs along the highways10 kilometers of riverside walks with 3 major pedestrian bridgesAround 200,000 treesMousehold Heath - total area 74.5 hectares59 natural areas and woodland sites - including 8 local nature reserves and 33 county wildlifesites78 equipped play areas1,450 allotment plots on 18 sites - total area 40.5 hectares.A large network of cycle ways including Lakenham and Marriott’s WayNorwich’s environmental campaign and entry into Anglia in Bloom, Britain in Bloom,Communities in Bloom and LivCom campaigns is led by The Friends of Norwich in Bloom.

Charity Registered Trustees and Action Team 2012The Friends of Norwich in Bloom are dedicated volunteers from all walks of life with a commonquest to improve, enhance and sustain the environment for all who live, work in and visitNorwich.At AGM Trustees are elected biennially and Action Team members are elected annually.Trustees meet quarterly to receive reports of finance and activities, develop business plans andauthorise and enable the Action Team.The Action Team meets monthly to organise the business of the Friends. Each team memberhas a specific role to fulfil throughout the year and reports to each meeting. Meetings are livelyand busy occasions dealing with: planning of the annual programme and budget; submissionand updating of individual project briefs; detailed planning for regional and nationalcompetitions, as well as our own annual local environmental competitions.TRUSTEESMichael King Julie Brociek-Coulton Dr. Alistair PittyChair Secretary TreasurerDarryn Adcock John Attoe Mark BakerTerry Bane John Bannister Reg ChiddickAlan Dobbins Dr. Ian Gibson George IshmaelRichard Marks Rita McCluskey Chris SouthgateWilliam WebsterACTION TEAMMichael King Clare Weller William WebsterPresident Vice-President AmbassadorTerry Bane Reg Chiddick Julie Brociek-CoultonChairmanSponsorship OpportunitiesAnd Portfolio ProductionVice-ChairmanVideographerand Schools LiaisonSecretary andLocal CompetitionOrganiserAlistair Pitty Sharron Ganther Jo ChiddickTreasurer Membership Media andSchools LiaisonWilliam Webster Pam Keten Peter JonesSheltered Housing Liaison Bloomin Ale TrailCity PrideCompetitionKaren Hetherington Chris Southgate Phyllis WebsterGrow Your Own Twin Cities Media ArchivistTerry Bane Jeff Taylor John AttoeWebmaster Webmaster City College PartnershipOlly Deeming Tom Everett Andy StreetCommittee Member Committee Member Committee MemberBert Allen, Hazel Boothman, Joy Dearn, Karen Hetherington and Chris SouthgateNorfolk Crocosmia Heritage ProjectGeorge Ishmael, Rosemary and Peter SaltHeavenly Gardens and Heritage Buildings ProjectSimon Alden, John Attoe, Terry Bane, Ray Curcher, Andrew Foster and Ian HarrisHorticultural Support and Production TeamAnne Bridge, John Bridge, Michael Lansdell, Sandra Paice, Alma Simmonds, Maureen Street,Fiona Terry, Gill Terry and Steve TerryLocal and Schools Competition Judges-Supporters – Kerry Annison and Kenny, Nick Belfield Smith, Matt Davies, David Freeman,Jane Graham, Kevin Rix and Marjorie Wilson

Tree ManagementSection A – Horticultural AchievementSome 310 different species and varieties of tree have now been recorded on land maintainedby Norwich City Council. The city council arboricultural department are currently cataloguingand mapping all trees under Council management across the city to gain an accurate picture ofour precious arboreal heritage.We can now maintain accurate records, monitor canopy cover and distribution as well asmonitor the effects of development, tree removal and planting. We have already mapped 16,500trees over 18 months and are expecting to treble this figure over the next two years; this willmean we will have the most accurate records of our trees in the county.The species distribution compares very well with other local authorities. The Council, however,does not wish to stop at 310 species and has a programme which aims to increase the diversityover the next 10 years to include species that are drought tolerant, trees that are beneficial tonative wildlife and trees that compliment the built environment.The resulting aim will be that Norwich will have the most diverse and adaptive tree stock underthe management of any local authority in the country. It will become The Capital City of Trees!There are so many good reasons for planting a wide range of trees.Until the mid-20th century, pollution from heavy industry and coal fires severely limited therange of trees that would grow in our towns and cities. Traditional planting patterns based on afew tough trees - planes and limes for example - was widespread. But today only the mostsensitive genera such as Abies or Picea are at risk from urban air pollution.In fact, modern cities favour the development of many species: the urban 'heat-island' benefitstender species in winter while, in summer, the majority of exotics enjoy the extra heat andshelter from buildings.In essence, the city environment allows us to establish a really broad range of tree species andspecies that are often too tender to plant in other more open or exposed environments andNorwich City Council positively encourages diversity as one of its guiding principles in plantselection. This is for several critical reasons:Beauty and variety:The opportunity to provide Norwich with a varied and beautiful treescape - one of endlesslyfascinating contrasts in form, texture, seasonal colour and blossom - should not be missed.Plant health:Uniform populations are vulnerable to disease. There is no better example of this than our pastelm populations. Elm was widely, sometimes exclusively, planted as the 'ideal' landscape tree inlowland England during the 18th and 19th centuries but was destroyed by several Dutch elmdisease epidemics in the 20th century. As a result, many landscapes have been irrevocablychanged because of the loss of mature elm trees.Sustainability:Ongoing planting programmes ensures a diverse age range of the trees, this mean ourpopulation of trees unlike uniform populations, do not create management bottlenecks with thesame species reaching maturity and needing surgery, removal or replacement at the same time.A measure against the adverse effects of future climates:Measuring and monitoring canopy cover is critical part in our tree management programme andby monitoring canopy cover we can ensure our city is best placed to adapt to the predictedeffects of climate change.Climate change is likely to be particularly acute in the east of England and in cities especiallybecause of the 'urban heat island' effect. Experts predict trends towards hotter, drier summerswith higher temperatures and milder, wetter winters with more frequent storms.

Section A – Horticultural AchievementThese changes will have a direct impact on the growth of trees and woodlands in the region.Key physiological differences exist between species, resulting in species-specific responses tochanges in environmental conditions, growth rates may be enhanced or reduced. The reductionin summer moisture could prevent some tree species growing on very thin, free-draining soils,as found in Norwich, and the decrease in available soil moisture may limit species choice.Some tree species displacement could occur in as little as 30 years as rising temperatures anddrought-related stress affects growth and, potentially, the fulfilment of winter chillingrequirements. The Woodland Trust says that many important beech woodlands in the southmay start to die out in the next 30 years as a result of extreme warm years and drier soils. Thereis certainly an argument to consider planting trees suited to the predicted changing climate.Introducing species from traditionally warmer or dryer climates - such as Corsican pine, Stonepine, Walnut and Paulownia - has long been part of our approach to planting. We are careful notto select and plant non native trees that have the potential to compete with our native wildllife orthat are prolific reproducers to reduce any potential impact to our natural environment, treessuch as Holm oak and Ailanthus are no longer planted in the city.BiodiversityThe Tree Register's 2004 nationwide study of exceptionally large, rare and historic trees in theurban environment identified around 1360 taxa on urban public sites, compared with 1100 taxaat Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. This is an extremely important international resource in terms oftree biodiversity but it is also an extremely fragile one. Of these 1360, 815 taxa wererepresented by fewer than 10 specimens.Clearly, local authorities have a responsibility to protect, bolster and enhance the biodiversity oftheir trees, as well as providing ex situ conservation for species that were introduced to thiscountry and which are now threatened in the wild.Native TreesBy encouraging diversity there is an obvious conflict with the current trend for promoting theplanting of native trees only, even within cities. Certainly - at least within the perimeters of ourwoodlands and through our wildlife corridors - many native trees need to be planted, both toattract wildlife and to mitigate the urban environment's built-in artificiality. But, clearly, nativetrees should not be blindly planted at the expense of the huge diversity of our introduced trees.After all, the UK's native tree flora is limited to around 60 taxa, as a result of last few millionyears' climate and geology; and such a restricted range creates uniformity, with the associatedperils as outlined above.Some of our non native trees are also hugely beneficial to our wildlife and species such aswood peckers have been observed collecting the nuts from our Turkish hazel trees. The pollenand nectar rich non native lime trees are abuzz with bees when in flower and many of our treesnot typically associated with wildlife benefits provide nesting sites for birds.One native tree species deserves particular attention: the black poplar, which is the subject of aNorfolk County Council species action plan. Previously common in Norfolk, approximately only70 mature trees survive in the county today. And, of these, just one is female.The City Council recognises the importance of our native black poplar and, with help form theCounty council and neighbouring authorities we have planted 10 female black poplars in andaround the city.Historical authenticityApart from the environmental concerns, historical authenticity and maintaining any designprecedents are also important especially in our conservation areas, eg a gap in an avenue oflime trees in a Victorian residential area should be filled with a lime tree.Through the careful collection of data we are able to look at where the areas of missing treesare and strategically plant to conserve and enhance our city.

Section A – Horticultural AchievementSpring DisplaysNorwich aims to provide floral displays for residents and visitors to enjoy across the citythroughout the year including the dull winter months, bright colours are chosen to give warmthand impact.Our spring displays are planted during the month of October to allow time for the plants toestablish before the onset of winter, hardy and free flowering varieties are chosen forperformance planted with Tulips they provide spectacular displays.As with our summer bedding displays this year all of the plants were grown from Pentland andEarley Ornamental Plant Plugs through our Norwich City College Foundation Studies, HMPrison Services Norwich and Friends of Norwich in Bloom “Growing” partnerships. Around50,000 spring bedding plants are used each year across the city.Above left Spring Bedding and Tulips Unthank Road Roundabout (Town Close Ward) April 2012Above right Spring Barrier Baskets Cattle Market Street (Mancroft/Thorpe Hamlet Ward) April 2012Norwich has around 4 million naturalised spring bulbs along its highways and in its parks andopen spaces, in 1999 nearly 2 million crocus were planted. Each year The Friends of Norwich inBloom provide and supply to community projects £800 worth of bulbs to naturalise displays.Above left Pansy and Tulip Display St. Giles – Bethel Street (Mancroft Ward) March 2012Above right Polyanthus Display Edith Cavell Memorial Tombland (Mancroft Ward) March 2012

Section A – Horticultural AchievementSummer, Perennial and Sustainable PlantingsThrough generous sponsorship, partnerships, management of resources and road improvementscheme opportunities Norwich continues to sustain and develop bedding displays, new waveperennial plantings and drought tolerant low maintenance displays.The strategy at Norwich is to replace appropriate highway shrub displays with sustainablegrasses, herbaceous perennial and bulb combinations, we call them New Wave Perennials,they enhance and benefit the environment in many ways providing more flowers for people toenjoy as well as provide a valuable food source for birds and insects which in turn feed thebirds, the plantings make litter collection easier in windy areas and provide less shelter forrodents during the winter.Many of our bedding displays are combined with sustainable displays, placed nearest to theonlooker achieves an appearance of a larger display, helping sustain limited budgets to providebedding schemes with sponsorship and in kind support Norwich provides attractive displays.Like many other local authorities Norwich look to drought tolerant types of plants to minimiseand conserve water, we plant densely to minimise bare soil water evaporation and manage oursoil using moisture retentive granules and good old fashioned organic manures. We also thinkabout hanging basket, barrier basket and planter water conservation all our floral containers aredesigned to retain water in a reservoir and water practice of early mornings means reducedevaporation, City Hall Balcony and Priscilla Bacon Lodge containers have mini irrigationsystems on timers watering at a time of day when the water will least evaporate.Because of new highway legislation access to many of our displays has become restrictedwhere this is a problem we look to use low maintenance and drought tolerant displays, colourand interest can still be achieved by carefully selecting genus that have fleshy and waxy leaves,silver foliage or come from areas of the world that are normally hot and dry, using mulches ofeither gravel or woodchip help reduce weed infiltration and number of visits needed to maintainthe display.Above right Recent planting Aylsham Road New WavePerennials (Mancroft Ward) May 2012Left Recent redevelopment and planting of New WavePerennials at Grapes Hill Road (Mancroft Ward) May2012

Section A – Horticultural AchievementNorwich and Norfolk Crocosmia HeritageWhen one thinks of Crocosmia most people think of the bright red hybrid Lucifer bred at Bloomsof Bressingham in Norfolk or that small orange flower that grows everywhere, but there are awealth of hybrids around and many have their roots deeply planted in Norwich History.Terry Bane, Bradley Simmonds and The Friends of Norwich in Bloom started to develop theNorwich and Norfolk Heritage Crocosmia collection in 2003 when David Fenwick from Plymouthvisited Norwich to donate corms from his National collection. David packed his car with 53species and Cultivars totalling 1,000 corms just managing to squeeze luggage and his wifeColleen in as well!. Helped by volunteers, these were planted in the Noverre garden at TheAssembly House.Above Crocosmia Hybrids flower in the Heritage Garden at The Assembly House August 2010The Fenwick's brought two pots of very special Crocosmia hybrids that they had named DavidFitt. These hybrids were bred and raised from seed by David Fenwick and named after DavidFitt, son of Jack Fitt, who bred over 50 hybrids in the early 20 th century. His son David was theonly member of the Fitt family not to have a Crocosmia hybrid named after him. Norwich isgreatly honoured to have one of the very first David Fitt hybrids planted in the heritage garden.The Norwich and Norfolk Crocosmia Heritage Garden was formally opened on Saturday August2nd 2003 by Jack Fitt’s oldest son Peter and his family. We also held perhaps the first NationalCrocosmia Challenge Competition for the Best 6 stems of Crocosmia in a vase, the winnerreceived a perpetual trophy named in honour of the Fitt family.In 2008 Project leaders Terry Bane and Ian Dabson decided to lift and split the hybrids as theyhad grown so well, the opportunity allowed the garden to be refurbished and incorporate exoticplants, ornamental grasses and spring flowering bulbs.Surplus Crocosmia were potted and grown on to be planted at The Norfolk College ofAgriculture and Horticulture, Easton College, near Norwich, as a historical botanical learning aidfor students. To sustain and promote the heritage collection, plants were also given to ThePlantation Garden Trust, Colman Hospital and Bowthorpe Heritage Group to help conserve andpromote the project with more interested groups and partners.In 2008 a special information display was created as part of the RHS UK Britain in Bloomcompetition "Local Roots" theme to show the history, people and development of Crocosmia's inNorwich and Norfolk, all the information was provided by David Fenwick through his researchand from personal items on loan from Jack Fitt's family, the display was generously sponsoredby Hussey Knights it is used to promote our local history and encourage conservation at events.

Section A – Horticultural AchievementSince 2009 the Crocosmia Heritage project has been managed by Joy Dearn, Hazel Boothman,Karen Hetherington, Chris Southgate and Bert Allen who maintain the garden once a week.Right Joy Dearn and Hazel Boothman showAnglia in Bloom judges David White and PaulSmith Exotic species in the CrocosmiaHeritage Garden 13 th July 2010Bulbs planted in 2010 autumn gave acolourful display in spring 2011. During thewinter the area under the magnolia wascleared and planted up with hedging,spring bulbs, and a seat placed under thetree. Plants removed from the pond bed atthe front of the Assembly have been addedto various beds in the Noverre Garden,which now has a nine month period ofcolour.Left Hazel Boothman and Joy Dearn in the Crocosmia GardenIn April 2010 195 new plants were collected fromCrocosmia National collection holders Mark and Lauri Foxin Lincolnshire by Joy, Karen and Chris Southgate in the“Bloom” Van, taken to Hockering Nursery, potted into pondbaskets, and transported back to the Noverre garden. 33new hybrids were added to the garden in May 2010,providing more interest to the already colourful display.14 Offspring plants were taken to the Plantation Gardenswho work with us on the project, we are aiming to work withthe UEA to send some varieties home to Earlham Park.The flowering period of Crocosmia being July to September,extra interest has been added with a selection ofornamental grasses and miniature sunflowers plantedbetween the Crocosmia to give early colour. A layer of barkchips helps water conservation, weed suppression, and acontrast to the green strap like leaves.Left New Tulip display April 2011Through the city council, Terry Bane hasplanted many Crocosmia varieties in largerquantities in new Wave Perennial displaysto develop a Norwich Crocosmia Trail.Some of the hybrids can be seen at CityHall, Crooks Place, St. Peter MancroftChurch, Chapelfield Road, Golden BallStreet and of course The Assembly House.

Section B – Environmental ResponsibilityEnvironmental Strategy – Norwich City CouncilThough an independent charity, FNIB aims to follow the spirit of this vital Council position.It is the council’s policy to: meet its national and international legislative obligations; developlocal sustainable communities; enhance the local environment; deliver environmentally friendlyservices; and enforce environmental legislation to help stem the depletion of finite naturalresources. The council is committed to preventing pollution of the environment directly throughcompliance with legislation and the continual improvement of our estate management andenvironmental performance.The council will demonstrate this by monitoring its resource use and by:• increasing energy efficiency in council-owned properties• promotion of domestic energy efficiency• reducing disposal of waste to landfill• increasing recycling• reducing consumption of paper in council activities• reducing consumption of fuel in council activities• reducing CO2 emissions from our operations via a target of six per cent each year from abaseline of 2007 until 2012-13 (30 per cent over five years)• prevention of groundwater pollution and contamination of the land• protection and enhancement of habitat and biodiversity• ensuring our procurement procedures balance high environmental specifications with total costof ownership.This will be achieved through:• the implementation and maintenance of this policy in all areas of our work,• implementation of a checklist and monitoring programmes• compliance with applicable legal requirements to which we subscribe and to other equirementswhich relate to the other environmental aspects of our activities, for example best practiceguidance from central government• campaigns and promotional work• studies and questionnaires.The delivery of this policy demonstrates our determination to lead in the fields of environmentalprotection and resource efficiency. The council also aims to influence others by demonstratingour efforts to community and business leaders via networking and other communications.Context and purposeThe sustainable community strategy for Norwich 2008-20 sets themes with strategic objectivesfor the city. The second theme “City of environmental excellence” sets the key objective forNorwich to become a low-carbon city, to minimise our use of global resources and to become amodel city for the management of the natural and historic environment Within the council’scurrent corporate plan 2010-12 there is the key corporate priority “to deliver sustainable growthand development” and a corporate commitment “to achieve at least a six per cent reduction peryear in the city council’s carbon footprint”.This environmental strategy sets out a road map for how the council will work towards achievingits key environmental objectives, priorities, and commitments for the city.The strategy, therefore,acts as an overarching environmental policy for Norwich City Council, sitting at a corporate levelto provide direction for service-led environmental improvements, through service plans, other

Section B – Environmental Responsibilitycouncil strategies (such as the council’s carbon management plan, waste strategy, localdevelopment framework and procurement strategy) and procedures.By working towards a sustainable community within Norwich, we will: ‘balance and integratesocial, economic, and environmental components of the community; meet the needs of existingand future generations; and respect the needs of other communities. To create a sustainablecommunity we will tackle the same issues as a climate change strategy would, therefore thisstrategy encompasses the actions taken by the council to address climate change.The council is also a partner in the countywide Norfolk Climate Change Task Force workingtowards a reduction in our per capita CO2 emissions in the local authority area through jointactivities and projects. This strategy therefore includes our contribution to joint activities whereappropriate.This year’s environmental strategy comes at a time when the council is facing significantfinancial challenges. Inevitably there will be resource restrictions on what can be achieved.However, by making sure we use natural resources wisely, emitting less CO2 and recycling asmuch as possible, will also present us with opportunities to make savings as well as protect ourenvironment. The strategy and action programme are therefore designed to grasp thoseopportunities wherever possible.Key achievements from the last environmental strategyThe council has delivered a range of major environmental improvements through its lastenvironmental strategy and other key policies. These are summarised below.• Achieved an eight per cent reduction in our carbon emissions (CO2) during 2010-11contributing to a total reduction of 16.9 per cent in the last three years.• Received recognition from the CLG (Communities and Local Government) as having thehighest decrease in CO2 emissions per capita in the south and east of the UK, as well ashaving one of the highest national decreases, whilst at the same time having one of thehighest levels of population growth.• Received recognition by the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) LivComAwards 2010 as being regarded as a gold standard in the management of our environment.• Commended as an example of best practice by the Carbon Trust and Salix for our innovativeuse of low carbon technology.• More than doubled our recycling rate in a two-year period, which is now at over 40 per cent.This has meant we are in the top 10 authorities in the country for reducing the amount of wastesent to landfill. The amount of waste produced per person has reduced by 18kg – the biggestimprovement in the country. Next year we aim to achieve a 55 per cent recycling rate, boostedby the roll-out of our food recycling service, which is the first district wide food waste collectionservice in Norfolk.• Ran a successful and diverse programme of energy and affordable warmth work – includingimprovements to around 2,500 council homes.• Completed the eco retrofit of over 800 council homes to make them more energy efficient.• Completed the St Augustine’s gyratory to improve air quality and traffic flow in the north of thecity.• Adopted the new Greater Norwich Development Partnership joint core strategy. This providespolicies to require new development to be sustainably located and designed There is aparticular focus on addressing climate change and promoting low carbon development. Thisincludes the most progressive policy for water efficiency in the country, and policies requiringenergy efficiency, the use of renewable energy and the protection of environmental assets.More detailed reports on progress against the last environmental strategy can be found in thecouncil’s annual environmental statements on the council’s website at:www.norwich.gov.uk/site_files/pages/City_Life__Eco_Issues.html

Section B – Environmental ResponsibilityLocal Heritage and Pride of PlaceNorwich 12 http://www.norwich12.co.uk A Journey Through The English CityNorwich 12 is reputed to have the UK's finest collection of individually outstandingheritage buildings spanning the Norman, medieval, Georgian, Victorian andmodern eras most are situated in the heart of the city in wards, Mancroft andThorpe Hamlet and are enhanced with floral displays and sustainable plantings.Norwich CastleNorwich CathedralThe Great HospitalSt. Andrews and Blackfriars HallThe GuildhallDragon HallThe Assembly HouseSt. James MillThe Roman Catholic CathedralSurry HouseCity HallThe forumOther Heritage Buildings, Memorials and Features include:The Old City Walls, Edith Cavell Grave and Memorial, Elm Hill, Nelson and Wellington Statues,Pulls Ferry, Hay Hill Sculptures – Norwich is very proud of its heritage and the people who havemade it such a “Fine City”Norwich Churcheshttp://www.norwich-churches.orgNorwich has 32 medieval churches it has been saidNorwich had a public house for every day of the year anda church for every week of the year.Every church has valuable surrounding landscapemaintained by Norwich City Council and voluntary groups,St. Stephens Church in the Mancroft ward was seen onthe judging routes.The Friends of Norwich in Bloom took the theme ofNorwich Churches to Twin City Koblenz in 2011 as part ofthe international garden festival and is also developing a“Heavenly Gardens” project to encourage well kept andused churchyards as valuable city green space andhabitat.Above right Castle Meadow Baskets (Mancroft Ward) July 2011Left St. Michael at Pleas White Wisterias (Mancroft Ward) May2012 – Note one of many new street information artworksHeritage ParksDuring the 1920’s parks superintendent Captain Sandys-Winsch created 4 new Norwich parks.Despite the loss of some features, the parks remain largely true to the original plans. They arecharacterised by their formal geometric layout, the use of reinforced concrete to create classicalfeatures and the inclusion of water features.Four of the Sandys-Winsch parks have recently been restored using Lottery funding and areincluded in the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.These are Waterloo, Wensum, Eaton and Heigham Parks.

Section B – Environmental ResponsibilityWater Wise Resource ManagementOn April 4 th 2012 Anglia Water implemented a hose pipe in the Anglia region that was indicatedwould last until the foreseeable future; the ban was lifted in early June due to heavy rainfall, 3times the normal amount predicted during this period.Civic DisplaysNorwich City Council’s parks, gardens, open spaces and highway displays fell into thisrestriction and although plans are made each year to grow as drought tolerant summer beddingplants as possible our hanging basket and floral containers require regular watering eventhough we use self watering Amberol products with reservoirs to conserve water.We started planting out our summer bedding displays on one of the 28 th May one of the hottestdays so far this year in order to have our civic displays ready for the Queens Diamond Jubilee,the plants didn’t look good after a few days but thank goodness for the heavy rain over theJubilee period to save them and shortly afterwards we had the lifting of the hosepipe ban.Soon after all barrier baskets were delivered from Hockering Nursery and in place by 15 th June.Parks Water RecyclingAt Waterloo Park the children’s splash pad feature re-uses water. The activity is fed from themains on a through put system (the water is not reused on the facility so there is no need forchlorine etc.). Based on the old paddling pool this new feature uses about 50% less water.Once the water has been used thisthen goes into a 10,000 litreunderground water tank which isthen used to water the adjacentbowling green, thus providing afurther water saving. As thebowling green did not previouslyhave formal irrigation and now weare able to water the facility atnight using again less water on thegreen.The splash pad also acts as a giant rainwater collector, it is filtered into our undergroundstorage tank allows us to continue to water the bowling green even during a water ban.Local Competitions Water Wise Category Sponsored by ChapelfieldThe Friends of Norwich in Bloom encourage all Norwich, schools, residents and business to bewater wise through a special category in the local summer competitions.Chapelfield Mall Water Wise and RecyclingChapelfield continues to be improved and enhanced, with plans for rainwater harvesting andheat exchange programmes under discussion.24 hours a day the Centre's Building Management System (BMS) controls all lighting tomaximise energy efficiency. The BMS also controls car park ventilation and adjusts the internaltemperatures in the Centre to allow for increases and decreases in the numbers of people andfor fluctuations in the external temperatures. The system also makes use of natural ventilation.Recycling is a high priority too. Chapelfield recycles 12 different waste streams, including 100pallet boards per month. At the moment Chapelfield recycles 48.9% of all waste and the teamcontinue to work hard to improve that percentage.

Section B – Environmental ResponsibilityNatural Habitat, Wildlife and WildflowersNorwich contains a remarkable range of wildlife habitats, including rivers and wetlands,woodlands and veteran trees, heathland, and semi – natural grasslands, as well as the types ofgreen places more commonly associated with urban areas such as parks, allotments, gardensand cemeteries, all of which have their own associated plant and animal life, and which, takentogether, constitute an important biodiversity resource.Norwich City Council is a key member of the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership, and its Parks andOpen Spaces section works to promote, maintain and improve the city’s biodiversity value.Some ‘natural areas’ and parks within the City have their own ‘Friends of’ groups, who workclosely with Parks & Open Spaces to help care for, and encourage enjoyment of, theirrespective sites. Another close working partner is the Norwich Urban Fringe Project, which ismanaged by Parks and Open Spaces but also receives funding and support from adjacent localauthorities. The Fringe Project cares for many individual sites, and continues to have greatsuccess in encouraging local people to become involved in its work.Some Norwich Biodiversity HighlightsOtter - regularly seen on Rivers Yare and Wensum, occasionally even in city centreWater Vole - found at several locations, including Mile Cross & Marston MarshWater Shrew –occurs at Marston MarshKingfisher – several pairs nest along Yare & Wensum, including in city centreCommon Tern – regularly feed at Earlham Marsh and breed nearbySnipe – often occurs at Earlham and Marston MarshesWater Rail – shy, skulking bird occurring at several marshland sites in NorwichPeregrine Falcon – a pair is currently (2012) raising a brood on Norwich CathedralBarn Owl – regularly hunts at Cooper Wood meadowTawny Owl – occurs at Mousehold Heath, Lion Wood and other Norwich woodlandsGreen & Great-spotted Woodpeckers – found in many woodlands and parks within NorwichCetti’s Warbler – breeds at Marston MarshReed Bunting – breeds at Earlham and Marston MarshesMute Swan - a pair nests every year in Wensum ParkCommon Lizard – present at Mousehold HeathSlow-worm – inconspicuous legless lizard present at Mousehold Heath and some other sitesGrass Snake - common at Marston Marsh, where very large specimens can be seenGreen Hairstreak - uncommon butterfly with a small but expanding colony on Mousehold HeathDragon and Damselflies - many species occur near the city’s rivers and pondsHeather - flowers in late summer at Mousehold Heath, just a mile from the city centreBluebell – Lion Wood has an impressive spring display of native bluebellsBee Orchid – occurs at several locations, including at Mile Cross, within a mile of city centreSouthern Marsh Orchid – occurs at Eaton Common and Marston MarshYellow Water-lily – spectacular flowering display along many sections of the Rivers Yare & WensumVeteran Trees - many in the city, notably in Earlham ParkSandy Stilt-ball – rare fungus occurring at a site adjacent to Danby Wood on Ipswich Road8 Local Nature Reserves in NorwichBowthorpe Marsh: 6ha of marshland next to the River YareDanby Wood: 4.5ha of broadleaved woodland on the site of old quarriesEaton Common: 6ha of wet grassland with woodland and scrub next to the R.YareEarlham Park Woods: 5ha of wet woodland, meadow and a pond next to the R.YareLion Wood: 12ha mainly birch-oak woodland, partly ancientMarston Marsh: 26.5ha of varied wetland habitats, and Norwich’s best wildlife siteMousehold Heath: 74.5ha of woodland, relict heathland and grasslandWensum LNR: small wet meadow and woodland next to the R. WensumAll the Local Nature Reserves, and most of the County Wildlife Sites, have open access so thatpeople can enjoy them at any time. Most of the LNRs also have on-site interpretation, andleaflets to help people get the most out of their visits.

Section B – Environmental ResponsibilityIt is, however, recognised that no matter how many sites are designated for their biodiversityvalue, these will never be enough on their own to ensure that Norwich remains a biodiverse city.We will, therefore, continue to manage sites which do not come up to CWS standard but whichare, nevertheless, important for wildlife in a local context, as well as encouraging more ‘wildlifefriendly’ management measures. Working with the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership and NorfolkWildlife Trust, a Norwich ‘Econet’, that involves linking up various green spaces and features inthe city with one another as well as connecting them to the wider countryside, is beingdeveloped. This will provide wildlife corridors throughout the city.Parks and Open Spaces also looks at other ways to improve biodiversity on a citywide basis, byreviewing our use of herbicides (and, where appropriate, introducing more environmentallyfriendly types), by reviewing programmes of vegetation cutting and taking action to monitor andcontrol harmful invasive plants such as Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed.Biodiversity Initiatives in Norwich♦ Earlham Marsh: total refurbishment, including reinstatement of dyke network, water controlmeasures, scrub clearance, rubbish removal and introduction of cattle grazing (Norwich FringeProject and partners)♦ Cooper Wood: restoration of neglected wet woodland and orchard site (Norwich Fringe Project)♦ Marston Marsh: completion of new easy access footpath and habitat improvements in 2011/12 usingNational Lottery funding. Also scrub removal, dyke clearance, provision of new bird/bat boxes andconstruction of cattle corral to permit enhanced grazing regime to benefit flora (Parks&OS /NorwichFringe Project/Eaton Residents’ Association)♦ Bowthorpe Marsh: refurbishment work completed (2012), including reinstatement of dyke network,new fencing and willow coppicing (Norwich Fringe Project)♦ Eaton Common: willow coppicing, enhanced cattle grazing and new Management Plan (Parks&OS)♦ Mousehold Heath: management plan (adopted in 2008) being implemented. Regular scrubclearance to conserve and extend remaining heathland areas, also a new demonstration heathlandarea created in 2011 (Parks&OS/Mousehold Heath Wardens, Mousehold HeathConservators/BTCV/Norwich Green Gym/other partners)♦ Lion Wood: removal of invasive laurel to encourage natural regeneration of native shrubs andwoodland wildflowers (Parks&OS/BTCV/Norwich Green Gym)♦ Clapham Wood: woodland management, removal of fly-tipped rubbish and rubble (BTCV,Parks&OS)♦ Marriott’s Way, Mile Cross: coppicing along dykes to encourage water vole, scrub removal and grasscutting to encourage grassland flora including bee orchid (Parks&OS, BTCV)♦ Bowthorpe Southern Park: new fencing, and habitat improvements including control of invasiveweeds and enhancing the existing ponds♦ The Dell: refurbishment of small community open space on Earlham Road with new play sculpture,wildflower planting and nestboxes♦ Ryrie Court Pond: rotational cutting of reed-bed introduced (Parks&OS)♦ Mile Cross Marsh: control of invasive aquatic weed (Crassula helmsii) and formation of new wildlifeponds♦ Construction of small wildlife pond in Heigham Park (Parks&OS, Norwich Union Insurance)♦ Purchase of cattle trailer to enable more effective grazing of several sites (Fringe Project/ Parks&OS)♦ Site survey and extension of Roadside Nature Reserve (RNR) on Ipswich Road to safeguardincreasing population of rare Sandy Stiltball mushroom♦ County Wildlife Site Surveys: more current and potential CWS sites surveyed by Norfolk WildlifeTrust for Parks and Open Spaces (NWT, Parks&OS)♦ Norwich Econet: work on identifying an ecological sites network in Norwich. The ecological networkthe council’s planning framework (Parks&OS, Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership,concept is now part ofNorfolk Wildlife Trust)♦ Review of Conservation Cuts (vegetation cutting intended to benefit wildflowers) (Parks&OS)♦ Establishment of database of invasive plant locations within the city (primarily Japanese Knotweed,Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam), and a stepping-up of control measures (Parks&OS)

Section C – Community ParticipationIt’s Your Neighbourhood – Wild About FlowersThe Friends of Norwich in Bloom encourage local communities, groups and organisations toenter the national Britain in Bloom “Its Your Neighbourhood” campaign through Anglia in Bloom.Norwich was delighted to take part in the national launch 14 - 15 th April through new entry MINDNorwich & Central Norfolk Mind are an innovative provider of mental health services in Norwichand Central Norfolk. Each year providing over 40,000 sessions of support to more than 2,500individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds.. The Gardening Project offers friendship,physical work and learning opportunities in a beautiful garden setting. The main group runs onThursdays and the Carers group is on Fridays, both at Sale Road, Heartsease (Crome Ward).The Gardening group planted the wild flower seeds in designated areas where they can also beseen from the adjoining pathway and road so that everyone passing by can also enjoy them.Norwich 2012 It’s Your Neighbourhood EntriesAlnwick Court Sheltered HousingBowthorpe Heritage GardenBradecroft Sheltered HousingCaroline HouseChapelfieldCharles Jewson CourtColman HospitalDon Pratt Court Sheltered HousingEaton Rise Residents AssociationAncient Hedge ProjectEaton Village Residents AssociationFellows Close Sheltered HousingForester Close Sheltered HousingFriends of Eaton ParkFriends of Marlpit WoodsFriends of Norwich in BloomCrocosmia Heritage ProjectGrapes Hill Community GardenHarry Perry Close Sheltered HousingHM Prison Service NorwichLakenfields Sheltered HousingLakenham Way VolunteersMelbourne Cottages Sheltered HousingMIND – Sale RoadNorfolk and Norwich Blind AssociationCare HomeNorwich City College Foundation StudiesRowland Court Sheltered HousingRyrie Court Sheltered HousingSilkfields Sheltered HousingSilver HavenSt Stephens Church VolunteersSt. James HouseStepping StonesThe Plantation Gardens TrustWaddington Court Sheltered HousingWinchester Tower VolunteersAbove Preparing the ground ready for sowingannual cornfield flower seed 13 th April 2012Below City College students Wildflowers June 2011Below Ipswich Road Ancient Hedge April 2011

Section C – Community ParticipationGrapes Hill Community GardenUntil the autumn of 2010 the area of land now the community garden (Mancroft Ward) wastarmac with 4 mature ash trees, Cotoneaster bushes and weeds growing in tarmac cracks.The garden was constructed between September 2010 and January 2011, with the removal ofthe tarmac and construction of hard landscaping. The garden was planted up between Januaryand May 2011 using plants sourced from local suppliers and donated by the local community.There are now over 200 species of plant in the garden, including shrubs, climbers, 20 differenttypes of fruit trees and bushes, perennial edible plants, over 20 species of herbs, ornamentalperennials and woodland wildflowers and bulbs. The full list is kept up to date (downloadablefrom http://www.grapeshillcommunitygarden.org/).We keep records of wildlife seen in garden. The list of species is small as it's a city centrelocation but we have submitted records of new species, such as a couple of species ofbumblebees seen in the garden that weren't previously on distribution maps for Norwich.We have deliberately planted flowers that attract bees, hoverflies & butterflies, We have createda log habitat pile and put up nest boxes.left Tree Planting andputting up nest boxesJanuary 2011We are establishing awildflower meadowsown March 2011;patches of cornfieldannuals sown April2012 and young plantsadded early 2012.Top growth from hardy perennials is mostly kept in place until spring, to provide hibernatingplaces for invertebrates. In 2012 Grapes Hill Community Garden and The Belvedere Centrewere commended for an Eco Award.We are collecting water from neighbouring roofs into water butts and a large water tank. Thegarden has a compost heap (made from recycled materials) and a leaf mould bin. Most plantsare perennial. Annual plants used to fill gaps in the garden are raised in peat-free compost.Council green waste compost (produced in North Norfolk) has been used to mulch beds tosuppress weeds and retain water in the soil.We are in regular contact with other groups e.g. Plantation Garden, Strangers Hall GardenGroup, Norwich Green Gym, Norfolk Master Gardeners, The Belvedere Centre (where groupmembers are replanting the garden) & schemes to create new community gardens at WensumView Park and behind flats in Orchard Street.The quarterly newsletter for our members includes educational pieces on herbs, noteworthyplants, growing tips & history of public gardens in Norwich. Because the garden contains manyedible plants, it is used as a source of food (e.g. herbs; vegetables grown in raised beds) for thelocal community and part of its role is to teach people how to identify and grow edible plants.We have a notice board outside the garden with information about the garden, including acolour-coded planting plan.

Section C – Community ParticipationThe Friends of Marlpit WoodThe Friends of Marlpit Wood (Wensum Ward) reformed inDecember 2010. Residents who were interested inimproving the wood held a meeting with councillors and thewest neighbourhood team community engagement officer.Residents decided that they wanted to start carrying outregular litter picks. Funding from a Norwich City Councilcommunity grant paid for the group’s insurance and equipment.In 2011 the group carried out seven litter picks and also held two fly tipping clearance events,linking with West Norwich army cadets to fill three skips with rubbish and garden waste whichhad been dumped in the wood over the years.The committee meets every couple of months in a local pub, usually at least six residents attendthe meetings and around ten people take part in the litter picks. The amount of time it takes tokeep the wood tidy has reduced as the majority of rubbish has been removed.1000 bluebell bulbs have been planted in the wood with school children from Valley Primaryschool which is next to the wood. Pupils also provided wildlife drawings to include on twointerpretation boards in the wood, funding for a new path and these boards was applied for bythe Friends and the local Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel from a community safety project.In February 2012 following the second clearance event the group planted 250 Hawthorne plantsalong one side of the wood to create, in time, a hedge which should deter fly tipping byrestricting access to the wood.Funding for tools and a newsletter has been awarded by the Chestnut Fund and producing thenewsletter and holding a Bat and Moth night event for residents in the wood are in the group’splan for 2012.To contact the Friends of Marlpit Wood email - friendsofmarlpitwood@gmail.com

Section C – Community ParticipationSchools and Youth InvolvementIntroductionMany Norwich schools offer gardening clubs to infants through to senior pupils, enabling thechildren to see the whole environmental picture involving plants, wildlife and habitat helpingthem to understand how they all interact, the pupils also grasp basic gardening skills andknowledge at an age when they are most receptive and have great fun in doing so too, growingplants and working with friends gives young people a sense of achievement. It is the dedicationof the teachers and the enthusiasm of the pupils that makes gardening clubs so successful.Hewett Under 5’sThis year in the Nursery garden we wanted tobuild on our plans to encourage more bees andbutterflies. We looked carefully at flowers thatwould attract and planted seeds planted seedsof Cornflower, Sunflower, Aquilegia, Foxgloveand Chrysanthemums. We already have SeaHolly which the bees and hover flies enjoy.The children have been very involved in ourproject and talk about bees, ladybirds andbutterflies confidently. My hope is that this willgive them an interest in the environment whichthey can build on as they grow older.Alma Simmonds manages the nursery schoolhas been involved with the Friends of Norwichin Bloom for 25 years previously as Secretaryand Competition Organiser.Earlham Early YearsWe have a large garden divided into areas for different play and exploration. Rose Baulcombe’srole is to oversee the ground management and plan and execute a year’s programme for thechildren and adults covering the gardening and forest school activities.Rose works on the garden for one day a week helping the children sow, tend, water, weed, cropand eat the produce. At the moment we are tasting different green leaves, fennel, sorrel,spinach and lambs lettuce. We planted potatoes in sacks and compete for the highest cropbetween classes. Colin our cook is happy to prepare veggies for tastings, potatoes, broccoli,sweet corn but generally most of our produce can be eaten and enjoyed raw.In the summer we enjoys our fruits as well, wild strawberries, black, white and red currants,raspberries and tree fruits, apples, plums, pears, medlars, mulberries and grapes.Rose leads short class sessions on different topics during the year, from incubating eggs forEaster chicks, to tasting honey and honey suckle and looking for bees, to watching the stagesof the butterfly life cycle live in the classroom.Rose’s role as Forest school leader involves a second day. We plan activities using naturalmaterials and the use of tools, sawing wood cookies and peeling sticks are favourites. We takegroups to the wood where we explore the native flora and fauna and recognise our impact onour surroundings. We play games to encourage the children to be confident and inquisitive inthe outdoors, from tree climbing to mini beast hunting and identifying.Finally we organise activities for parents to share with their children in the garden andcompetitions to do at home, the favourites being sunflower growing and making scarecrows.

Section C – Community ParticipationMousehold InfantsAt Mousehold Infant and Nursery school the children are introduced to gardening from Nurseryage and all children experience aspects of gardening within the curriculum.Gardening club offers 14 children from years 1 and 2 (5 to 7 year old) the experience ofworking a garden through out the seasons whatever the weather.We recently replanted all the borders around the playground with alpines. grasses and shrubswhich all children in the school have an opportunity to help maintain. Our gardening club workhard in the school allotments and we are now starting to see the results of our hard work.As gardeners we also realise the importance of introducing wildlife into our gardens around theschool. We work alongside the school nature club thinking of the types of plants andhabitats needed. This Autumn we are hoping to start on a bog garden in our wildlife area. Wegarden organically and use peat free compost. This year we have placed 6 new water buttsaround the school our Eco Schools council are very pleased with us.The children are enjoying growing vegetables, salads, herbs and flowering plants from seedand this year we are growing sunflowers from seed we harvested from last years flowerheads and they are flourishing!We meet each week as an after school club and no matter what the task, whether it be planting,weeding, watering or turning the compost the children all go home with smiles and I amextremely proud of the dedication and commitment shown by the Gardening club and whatthey have achieved since September.Heartsease PrimaryAs a result of an index for inclusionmeeting it was raised that anoutdoors learning area would be abenefit for many of the children.Since September 2011 we havecreated partnership links with thelocal community to set up a gardenon our school field.The project partners are; Age UKNorwich and Thorpe & DistrictGardening Club through gardeningteacher Sophie Keen.Most enjoyable was making bee andbug boxes and sowing seeds forplanting in raised beds.In association with the Roots and Shoots project at Holt Hall we have installed a plethora ofplanting beds ready for the visit of the Friends of Norwich in Bloom judges.Within the school we are holding a ’Heartsease in Bloom’ competition between each year groupto create a themed planting area, being judged in July. Already learning has been impactedthrough gardening in science, maths, literacy and part of a whole school logo competition.The garden club has been a huge success with 25+ children attending after school and manywanting to help at lunchtimes to maintain the garden. Through work with the adults the gardenclub has planted a hedgerow around the plot, a variety of vegetables and flowers and treepacks from the Woodland Trust.Many helping us with this project tell us how rewarding and inspirational it has been for them.It’s a win win situation for us all who are involved and for the school.

Section C – Community ParticipationLocal Competitions – SchoolsIn 2012 Over 22 schools took part in the Norwich in Bloom schools environmental competitions.THE FRIENDS OF NORWICH IN BLOOM IN PARTNERSHIP WITHCHAPELFIELD CELEBRATING OUR 25 th YEARSCHEDULE AND ENTRY FOR SCHOOLS COMPETITIONS 2012The Trustees, President and Friends of Norwich in Bloom invite Norwich Schools to enter the 2012environmental competitions. Details of the entry categories are explained below.Friends of Norwich in Bloom 25 th Year Logo Competition – Entry Closing Date Friday February 3rd1. This year is our 25 th year of the FNIB weare asking schools to design our logo for thisyear. The logo will be on all of our stationaryused over the next year and on all of ourCertificates for our Competitions.(Winning Logos Shown Top This Page)2. Daffodil Competition12 freshly cut Daffodils to be brought to theforum in Norwich by 11am to be judged by theLord Mayor of Norwich at 12 midday on Saturday14 th April 2012The prize to the winning school for the LogoCompetition will be a set of flower planters and boxesmade by our partners HM Prison Services Norwich.There is also another set of flower planters and boxesto win for the Best Vase of 12 Cut Daffodils too.DIAMOND JUBILEE, OLYMPIC CELEBRATIONS, SUMMER FLORAL GARDENS AND DISPLAYSJudging Monday 25 th June – Sunday 1 st July – Entry Closing Date Saturday 9 th June3. Best Diamond Jubilee Garden/Floral Display(Certificate and prize to winner)4. Best Olympic Garden/Floral Display(Certificate and prize to winner)5. Best School Floral Containers(Trophy and prize to winning School)6. Best School Flower Garden(Trophy and prize to winning School)7. Best School Wildlife Garden(Trophy and prize to winning School)8. Best School Water Wise Garden(Trophy and prize to winning School)Create a Garden or Floral Display to celebrate theQueens Diamond Jubilee.Create a Garden or Floral Display to celebrate theOlympics.Create, grow and show your favourite hangingbasket, window box, floral planter or flower tubs.Create and look after a Flower Garden.Create and look after a Wildlife Garden to attract,feed and provide a home for wildlife.Create a garden that uses collected and recycledwater, use water conserving ideas and droughttolerant plants.

Section C – Community ParticipationALLOTMENTS – Judging 25 th June – 1 st July – Entry Closing Date Saturday 9 th June9. Best School Fruit and Vegetable Garden Create an allotment plot or garden to grow(Trophy and prize to winning School) vegetables, fruit and herbs.SCARECROWS – Judging 25 th June – 1 st July – Entry Closing Date Saturday 9 th June10. Best School ScarecrowCreate and name your Scarecrow or Scarecrows.(Trophy and prize to winner)SUNFLOWERS – 10 th – 14 th September – Inform Your heights to Julie by 7 th September11. Tallest Giant SunflowerGrow the Tallest Sunflower in Norwich.(Trophy and prize to winner)GIANT PUMPKINS – Judging 1st – 5th October – Inform Your girths to Julie by 26th September12. Biggest Giant PumpkinGrow the Biggest Pumpkin in Norwich.(Trophy and prize to winners)PORTFOLIO – Judging 25th June – 29 th June – Entry Closing Date Monday 11 th June13. Best School Record and Diary of Gardeningand Environmental Activities all Year.(Trophy and prize to winning School)14. Best School or Youth Project 4 – 11 Years(Trophy and prize to winner, Group or School)15. Best School or Youth Project 12 – 18 Years(Trophy and prize to winner, Group or School)Norwich in Bloom Overall Schools Winner(Amberol Trophy and prize to winning School)RULES FOR THE YOUTH COMPETITIONS1. Entries are restricted to schools in the City of Norwich area.Produce a record of your activities and achievementsthroughout the year, show your plans, pictures, whowas involved including pupils, teachers and parents.Let us know of any special projects you are doingperhaps to help the elderly, the community, restore aneglected garden or wasteland or helping to growplants and vegetables for others who find it difficult.Produce and show your Special Project Portfolio.The School with the most points gained from enteringinto the Schools Categories will become the OverallWinner.2. The Judges will take into account the enthusiasm and involvement of young people in each entry.They will also assess the impact, appearance, colour, diversity and originality of all entries. Furthermore,they will also pay heed to the quality, design, sustainability, good practices and environmental standardsdisplayed – in such measure as they see fit.PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES AND PRIZESPresentations at winning schools wis made by arrangement through the competition organisers bycivic dignitaries, our generous sponsor Chapelfield and The Friends of Norwich in Bloom Team.Above left Maureen Street judging Schools Daffodils April 2012Above right Eaton Primary proudly show their individual logo competition entry certificates April 2012

Section C – Community ParticipationLocal Competitions – Sponsored By ChapelfieldThe Friends of Norwich in Bloom local environmental competitions have been running for 25years before 1987 the competitions were being run by Norwich City Council.All the Norwich community and business are invited to enter to improve and enhance localsurroundings; some are shown to regional and national Anglia and Britain in Bloom judges.Each entry is judged by criteria scoring up to a maximum of 200 points this enables us to gradeeach entry and award standards from Bronze, Silver, Silver Gilt to Gold.Trophies and prize monies are presented by civic dignitaries and sponsors during a tour of thecity on a Presentation Sunday late July, certificates area awarded to all entries during apresentation evening during October.DIAMOND JUBILEE AND OLYMPIC CELEBRATION FLORAL GARDENS AND DISPLAYS1. Best Diamond Jubilee Garden or Floral Display2. Best Olympic Garden or Floral DisplayCOMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTION3. Floral Commercial Premises & Containers4. Floral Public House5. Sheltered Housing Schemes (Residents)6. Residential Care homes7. Floral Industrial PremisesPRIVATE RESIDENTIAL SECTION8. Floral Displays in Containers9. Floral Gardens of any size10. Floral Street - Residential11. Cottage Garden12. Exotic Mediterranean GardenGROW YOUR OWN SECTION13. Best Allotment Newcomer14. Best Allotment15. Best Organic AllotmentHERITAGE SECTION16. Best Kept Churchyard Award in NorwichSUSTAINABLE DISPLAY SECTION17. Best All Year Round Garden18. Best Water Wise/Drought Garden19. Summer Newcomers Award20. Summer Super Award21. Norwich in Bloom Summer Overall WinnerAbove Super Award Winner 2011Norfolk and Norwich Blind AssociationLeft Overall Winner P. Kuzemczak &M. Gosling Hill Farm AllotmentsBelow Best Commercial Premises - Marsh

Section C – Community ParticipationPromotion, Publicity and Media AttentionPress CoverageWe are very fortunate that the local Eastern Daily Press, Evening News, Radio Norfolk andNorwich take a great interest in our work, Media Liaison Jo Chiddick stays in constant touch.Phyllis Webster, our Media Archivist, keeps books of clippings of all our press stories as well asall Norwich environmental activities. We have these on show at all our events throughout theyear and they come in handy to show new potential sponsors press coverage we achieve.Web Site www.norwichinbloom.co.ukMany of the stories and articles we write are also available on our websitewww.norwichinbloom.co.uk, where we have links to the Anglia, Britain in Bloom, Communities inBloom and LivCom websites as well as links to sponsors, supporters and local organisations.Horticultural and Trade ShowsThroughout the year, The Friends of Norwich in Bloom aims to promote the "Bloom" initiative atas many promotional events as possible. We attend the Royal Norfolk Show in the Norfolk &Norwich Horticultural Societies marquee and their Spring, Early and Late Autumn shows as wellas local events wherever possible.Above left FNIB Launch at The Forum April 2012Right A resident looks at the Norwich in Bloom NoticeBoard Theatre Street (Mancroft Ward) January 2012FNIB Notice Board – Theatre StreetJo and Reg Chiddick show the activities of the Norwich in Bloom initiative throughout the yearwith information and photographic displays updated monthly in the Norwich in Bloom cabinet inthe heart of the city at Theatre Street outside the Assembly House and Theatre Royal adjacent.Videography and PhotographyProducing videos and photographs continues to be an important and informative part of theyearly programme. Lasting archives have been recorded since 1990. These not only portrayhow the group has progressed over the years but also demonstrate the effort and commitmentby all concerned to ensure that Norwich remains a floral city. It shows the ‘on going’involvement of the community such as schools, young people and the residents of Norwich.Signage and BannersWe aim to mention Anglia, Britain and Communities in Bloom as well as LivCom at everyopportunity and use logos on our signage and banners.

Section C – Community Participation25 th Celebrations of Friends of Norwich in BloomTo celebrate our 25 th anniversary this year, the Friends of Norwich in Bloom aim to surprise realale lovers in the city, by launching Bloomers, our own special 25 th Anniversary Ale!Bloomers was brewed by Mark Riches at Beeston Brewery alocal independent, it is a floral blonde ale, to be launched at asurprise city venue in early July.Friends of Norwich ‘in Bloomers’ have been promotingBloomers at real ale pubs around Norwich, and have receivedexcellent support from publicans who are keen to buy onebarrel or more!Bloomers will initially be available for a 4-6 week period, but ifit becomes popular, who knows! It could become a favourite!Bloomin Ale Trail 31 st May – 10 th JuneThis year we ran our first Bloomin’ Ale Trail competition, which ran alongside the second annualNorwich City of Ale Trail. Involving 45 real ale pubs around our fine city, our Trail was designedto be fun and easy to do, with the dual benefit of providing us with publicity and encouragingmore pub custom.We asked competition entrants to visit pubs taking part in the City of Ale Trail and let us knowwhich 3 public houses they considered to be the ‘Bloomin’ best, with their flowers and floralcontainers. Competition entrants were put into a draw to win garden centre vouchers.With £100 sponsorship kindly provided by local brewery, Woodforde’s, of Woodbastwick, wewere able to purchase special trophies for the winning pub and the two runners-up. Theirsponsorship also contributed greatly to our promotional costs.We introduced the Bloomin’ Ale Trail at our campaign launch at The Forum, in April. The Trailwas publicised in the local press, Norwich magazine, the Norwich City of Ale programme andblog, and in the Campaign for Real Ale’s local Norfolk Nips magazine, as well as our website.We provided all 45 pubs with posters and entry forms, and our volunteers also took part in theCity of Ale launch on 31 st May, where they actively promoted both our Bloomin’ Ale Trail and theFriends of Norwich in Bloom.25 th Anniversary T-ShirtsEarlier this year we commissionedNorwich Screen Art, St. Augustine’sStreet, Norwich, to produce new T-shirts for our 25 th anniversary year.We designed the T shirts ourselves andthey have made a great impact at ourpromotional events, including at our2012 campaign launch which was heldat The Forum on Saturday 14 th April.left FNIB Action Team members Peter Salt,Pam Keten and Kerry Annison at ourCampaign Launch 14 th April 2012

Section C – Community ParticipationFriends of Norwich in Bloom Future Aims and PlansCharitable Status AchievedAt the Friends of Norwich in Bloom Annual General Meeting on the 11th November 2009,members voted to revise their 2007 Constitution. This was intended to develop and prepare thegroup structure, ready to appoint trustees for an application to the Charity Commission.Fourteen members attended the members meeting at 10.00am on Thursday the 4th February2010 at The Royal British Legion - Aylsham Road. They voted unanimously to accept andadopt the proposed 2010 Constitution, and also elected fifteen Trustees to form a board.The first Trustees meeting was on May 10th 2010, at which a Chairperson, Secretary andTreasurer were elected. The Trustees also formally empowered and enabled the 2010 ActionTeam Committee and began preparing documents towards an application for charitable status.In June 2010 The Friends of Norwich in Bloom formally registered on line an applicationtowards charitable status. Further documents were completed in November and January 2011.On 3rd February 2011 the Charity Commission responded. They recommended certainchanges to clause 3 of the draft Constitution. So a special general meeting of members wasarranged on the 28th February at which, after healthy examination and a vote, an amendedclause 3 was adopted. .Aims of the Friends of Norwich in BloomThe main aims of our new Constitution are:To promote horticulture for the benefit of the public generally and especially those who live in orvisit the city of Norwich, by providing or encouraging the provision of displays of flowers, shrubs,trees and landscapes in places visible to the public.On the 7th April 2011, The Friends of Norwich in Bloom were formally granted CharitableStatus by the Charities Commission. Our Registration number is 1141012.Our Business PlanningTo make best use of our resources and to help determine the priorities of our environmentalcampaigning, our Trustees continue to develop a draft Business Plan. A five-year income andexpenditure forecast document is already complete.Success for Norwich in 20095 Bloom and Best School Project Awards in the international Communities in Bloom competitionSuccess for Norwich in 2010Gold and category win award in the international LivCom competitionSuccess for Norwich in 2011Gold Award for Norwich in the regional Anglia in Bloom competitionInternational Festival BUGA Friendship Garden in Koblenz – Norwich’s Twin CityGoals for the FutureEncourage more Norwich Neighbourhoods to become involved and enter Anglia in BloomEncourage all Norwich Wards to make an entry into Anglia in Bloom as Urban CommunitiesIncrease Financial Support to enable more community activityEncourage the development of more sustainable and drought tolerant plantingsWin Anglia and Britain in Bloom at City categoryWin Anglia and Britain in Bloom at Urban Community categoryGain entry into Entente Florial

Section C – Community ParticipationSponsorshipThrough the generous sponsorship of so many businesses in Norwich, Norfolk and indeedacross the UK, Norwich is able to sustain floral displays and provide support for The Friends ofNorwich in Bloom and its partners to help with environmental enhancement and communityprojects. In 2011/12 New sponsors came forward to increase the sponsorship income.Above left Business Sponsors Tea Party with The Lord Mayor and Sheriff of Norwich April 2012Above right CIM signage Prince of Wales Road (Thorpe Hamlet Ward) August 2011Norwich Train Station – Floral GatewayThe partnership with Norwich Train Station provides floral display opportunities to welcome andleave a lasting memory of Norwich to thousands of visitors and commuters each day, theAmberol Floral Fountains also generate funds for The Friends of Norwich in Bloom throughadvertising panels, this year we have 17 of the 20 panels sponsored generating over £3,000 tokeep them sustained and fund other projects. The Friends are aiming to develop a similarpartnership using barrier baskets displays at Norwich bus station in the future.Above left In Kind Sponsor Barry Godfrey presents tools to City College Students September 2011Above right Summer Floral Fountains Norwich Train Station (Thorpe Hamlet Ward) August 2011In Kind Sponsorship Some businesses provide free goods and materials needed instead offunds, usually worth more then the location they choose to sponsor helping budget expenditure.

Section C – Community ParticipationSponsorship, Grants, Donations and Fund RaisingSPONSOR/SUPPORTER TYPE OF SUPPORT AMOUNT IN KIND VALUE1 st GOLDSTAR TAXIS SPONSORSHIP £200ACT SOLICITORS SPONSORSHIP £300ALBION DAYS SPONSORSHIP £300ANNESLEY HOUSE HOTEL FREE ROOM AND BUFFET £300ASSEMBLY HOUSE FREE ROOM HIRE & FACILITIES £2000ASTUTECH FREE WEBSITE HOST £500ATT SPONSORSHIP £3000BARFORD VAN HIRE FREE VAN MINIBUS HIRE £6000BENNETTS SPONSORSHIP £500BLUE 256 SPONSORSHIP £750CALOR GAS SPONSORSHIP £1500CAMPBELL INTERIORS SPONSORSHIP £500CHAPELFIELD SPONSORSHIP £5500C.I.M. SIGNSSPONSORSHIP£1000FREE SIGNAGE£5000CONSERVATORIES ETC LTD SPONSORSHIP £750DOLPHIN TRAVEL FREE COACH TRANSPORT £300DR VINYL CAR CARE CENTRE SPONSORSHIP £500DREAM DOORS SPONSORSHIP £650FRIENDS NORWICH IN BLOOM FUND RAISING EVENTS £800MEMBERSHIP FEES £300FLORANOVA FREE SEEDS £2000FRUITFUL MEDIASPONSORSHIP £2500RAISE YOUR PROFILEGASWAYS SPONSORSHIP £800GODFREY DIY SUPERSTORES FREE MATERIALS £1200GORDON BARBER SPONSORSHIP £10300HATCH BRENNER SPONSORSHIP £1000HIQ NORWICH SPONSORSHIP £2000HOCKERING NURSERY FREE PLANTS/SUPPORT £1000HOLIDAY EXPRESS INN SPONSORSHIP £3000HUSSEY KNIGHTS FREE GRAPHICS/PRINTING £800IDEAL SCAFFOLDING SPONSORSHIP £1500INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE WRITING SPONSORSHIP £85JOHN LEWIS PARTNERSHIP SPONSORSHIP £4000JOHN INNES CENTRE SPONSORSHIP £200KIDEASE SPONSORSHIP £300KINGS & CO SPONSORSHIP £500LOVELLS SPONSORSHIP £900M & M FISHMONGERS SPONSORSHIP £1000NORWICH BUSINESS SCHOOL SPONSORSHIP £750NORWICH CITY COLLEGE FREE PLANTS AND SUPPORT £5000NORWICH CITY COUNCIL GRANT £10,000NORWICH PRISON SERVICES FREE PLANTS £12000NOTCUTTS FREE PLANTS & MAINTENANCE £1600ONYX-IT SPONSORSHIP £1500ORB ORGANIC HAIR SPONSORSHIP £300POTTS FUNERAL SERVICES SPONSORSHIP £2000RAF SPONSORSHIP £2000RODENT CONTROL SPONSORSHIP £1000RONALDSONS SPONSORSHIP £2000THE CRUSTY CORNER BAKERY SPONSORSHIP £300THE FORUM SPONSORSHIP £300THE MALL NORWICH SPONSORSHIP £2480TM BROWNE LTD SPONSORSHIP £1000TOTALS £68,265 £37,700OVERALL TOTAL 2012 £105,9652011 Total Sponsorship was £91,885 – Sponsors Not Renewing 9 – New Sponsors 14

Section C – Community ParticipationFriends of Norwich in Bloom Diary 2012Our diary illustrates the depth and range of our volunteer workTrustee MeetingsAt The Assembly House - Theatre Street 10.30am - 1.00pmMonday 13th FebruaryMonday 14th MayMonday 13th AugustNovember Date To be ConfirmedAction Team MeetingsAt The Red Lion Public House - 79 Bishopgate NR1 4AA 10.00am - 12.30pmTuesday 10th January – Britain in Bloom Entry StrategyTuesday 7th February – Budgets/Projects/Anglia in Bloom StrategyAt The Royal British Legion - Aylsham Road 10.00am - 12.30pmTuesday 6th March – Schools/Local Competition Planning/LaunchTuesday 3rd April – Regional Competition Planning and PortfolioTuesday 1st May – National and Regional Competition Route PlanningTuesday 29th May – Local Competition Judging PlanningTuesday 3rd July – Regional and National Competition JudgingTuesday 24th July – National Competition JudgingTuesday 4th September – Competition Presentation Evening PlanningTuesday 11th September – Anglia in Bloom Awards Ceremony St. IvesTuesday 25th September – Competition Presentation Evening PlanningFriends of Norwich in Bloom Major Events and ActivitiesSaturday 14th April – 2012 Campaign Launch the forumWednesday 2nd May – Bill and Phyllis Webster – Celebrate 70 years of MarriageLate May/Early June – Norwich City College Students Plant Summer Bedding DisplaysHM Prison Services send out Summer Bedding Plants For Civic/Community PlantingsAugust to September Crocosmia Heritage Gardens at their best – The Assembly HouseOctober – Norwich City College Students Plant Autumn Bedding DisplaysHM Prison Services send out Autumn Bedding Plants For Civic/Community PlantingsFriday 19th October – Presentation Evening – The Assembly House -– 7.00pm - 9.00pmTuesday 13th November – Annual General MeetingNorfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society Events attended by Friends of Norwich in BloomAt The Royal Norfolk Showground CostesseySaturday 7th – Sunday 8th April – Spring Flower ShowWednesday 27th June Thursday 28th June – Royal Norfolk ShowSaturday 1st – Sunday 2nd September – Early Autumn ShowSaturday – Sunday November – Late Autumn ShowLocal Norwich in Bloom Competitions Sponsored by ChapelfieldMonday 2nd July - Saturday 7th July – Schools Competition judgingMonday 9th – Saturday 14th July – Local Environmental Competition judgingSunday 29th July - Local Environmental Competitions Presentation DayMonday –- Friday 10th – 14th September – Schools Giant Sunflower Competition JudgingMonday – Friday 3rd – 7th October – Schools Giant Pumpkin Competition JudgingAnglia in Bloom Regional CompetitionThursday 1st March – Anglia in Bloom 2012 Campaign Launch - GodmanchesterTuesday July 10th – City category judgingTuesday July 18th – Urban categories Thorpe Hamlet and Town Close judgingWednesday July 19th – Urban categories Mancroft and UniversityNovember – Anglia in Bloom Awards SeminarBritain in Bloom National CompetitionThursday 26th January RHS Britain in Bloom Seminar - Proudly Hosted in NorwichSaturday and Sunday 14th -15th AprilRHS Britain in Bloom National Its Your Neighbourhood Local Launch – MIND Sale RoadThursday August 2nd – City category judgingSaturday 6th October – Awards Ceremony – St. Peter Port Guernsey

ANGLIA and BRITAIN IN BLOOM CITY ROUTETuesday 10 th July and Thursday 2 nd August 2012Meet Anglia in Bloom judges, Brian Thornton and Bill Boardman.Meet Britain in Bloom judges, Roger Burnett and Sharon Thomas.At The Assembly House. Comfort break, view DVD, portfolio, display boardsand Norwich environmental media clippings (scrapbook).Tour Guides – Terry Bane, Julie Brociek-Coulton, Pete Jones,Tour Runners – Kerry Annison and Kenny, Hazel BoothmanContact no’s Julie 07786 694325 Terry 07768 287081 Bill 07768 063269Time Allowed 3.5 hours + 15 minutes each for Overview, Press Call and School VisitNo. Destination/View Arrival Meet DepartDrive to Start Point City of Norwich School Eaton Road9.15am1. City of Norwich School 9.30am Staff and Pupils 9.45am2. Ipswich Road9.50am Kathleen Rowlands 10.00amAncient Hedge ProjectEaton Rise ResidentsA. Ipswich Road JunctionFloral Bed and Barrier BasketsSponsored by various Business3. Norwich City College 10.05am John Attoe10.15amNew Greenhouses, Composting,Sarah SoftleyWildflower and Conservation areaStudentsB. St. Stephens RoadBarrier BasketsSponsored by Annesley HotelC. St. Stephens RoundaboutSustainable DisplaySponsored by ATTD. Chapelfield RoadFloral Beds and Barrier BasketsSponsored by various BusinessE. Grapes Hill RoundaboutSustainable DisplaySponsored by ChapelfieldF. Unthank Road RoundaboutFlower BedsSponsored by RAF Careers4. Plantation GardensEarlham RoadVictorian Garden restoration Trust5. Grapes Hill CommunityGardensG. St. Giles/Bethel StreetFlower BedsSponsored by Gordon Barber6. City HallMemorial GardensPerennial Border and NewlyRefurbished Memorial GardenH. Theatre StreetFlower Beds and ContainersSponsored by Hatch BrennerJ. Theatre StreetLiving WallCreated by Marks and Spencers10.20am10.35amMarjorie WilsonVolunteersJeremy BartlettCommunity10.50am Leader of The CouncilBrenda Arthur10.30am10.45am11.00am

No. Destination/View Arrival Meet Depart7. St. Stephens Church 11.05am Davina Tanner 11.15amDrought Perennial Border, Summer(Chapelfield)Bedding, Wildflower area andSally ClarkeWildlife Habitat boxesVolunteersK. Theatre StreetFlower Beds FNIB Notice BoardSponsored by Hatch Brenner8. The Assembly HouseFlower Bed, Planters, HangingBasket Tree, Crocosmia HeritageGardenPRESS CALLREFRESHMENTS AVAILABLEL. Red Lion StreetStainless Steel Plant Supports9. Castle Gardens and BridgeShrub Perennial Borders, SummerBedding, Wildflowers, PlantersM. Golden Ball StreetSustainable DisplaySponsored by Rodent Services10. Ber Street /All Saints GreenFlower Beds and BasketsSponsored by John LewisN. Cattle Market StreetBarrier BasketsSponsored by various BusinessO. Farmers AvenueFlower BedSponsored by T.M. BrowneP. Prince of Wales RoadFlower BedSponsored by C.I.M.11. Cathedral Wellington Statueand Herb GardenFlower Bed and Herb GardenQ. Tombland Traffic IslandBedding DisplaySponsored by Fruitful Media andRaise Your Profile12. Adam and Eve P.H.Local Competition WinnerBedding and Basket DisplaysREFRESHMENTS AVAILABLER. Barrack Street RoundaboutSustainable DisplaySponsored by Gordon BarberS. Ketts Hill RoundaboutDrought Tolerant DisplaySponsored by Godfrey DIY13. Mousehold HeathBritannia RoadConservation Area14. HM Prison NorwichBedding Display and Basketsaround Grounds11.20am11.40amMichael KingJoy DearnHazel BoothmanKaren HetheringtonChris SouthgateCllr. Deborah GihawiRosemary SaltMatthew Bloomfield11.35am11.50am11.55am 12.0012.10pmPhil ThomasJuliet CorbettPolly MunroeJo Statham12.25pm12.30pm Rita McCluskey 12.45pm12.50pm1.00pmMousehold DefendersVolunteersChris SouthgateDarryn AdcockSimon AldenRay CurcherAndy FosterAnd Inmates15. Mousehold North Allotments 1.20pm Kerry AnnisonGreenfingersAngie Cossey1.30pmEND OF TOUR1.00pm1.15pm1.30pmReturn to Assembly House to meet guests at buffet at 1.45pm