Bury in Bloom was founded by the Bury Society in 1986 and is instrumental in confirming Bury St Edmunds as one of the country’s foremost Floral Towns. A walk through the town centre, particularly during the summer months, leaves no doubt that this accolade is well and truly earned.

Bury in Bloom’s awards and plaudits are too many to list, with numerous Gold Awards from the RHS Britain in Bloom and Anglia in Bloom.

Mikes Ames, Chair of Bury in Bloom with St Edmundsbury Area Parks Officer, Caroline Brown and Campaign Manager, Julia Rackowe picking up the Gold Award for Best Large Town/Small City from actress Susan Hampshire at the RHS Britain in Bloom Awards ceremony at Coventry Cathedral October 2007.

Executive members with singer and garden designer, Kim Wilde, at the launch of Bury in Bloom 2007 – the year we won a Gold Award in Anglia in Bloom and top prize for Best Large Town/Small City in the RHS Britain in Bloom Awards

Rightly famous for its magnificent hanging baskets that festoon the centre of town, today’s Bury in Bloom has grown to embrace the whole community.  Floral and environmental projects involving the very young, school and college students, the elderly, businesses, allotments and more, are instigated and supported by the Bury in Bloom Executive.

Funding for projects is raised from the corporate sector by allowing signage on roundabouts and other planted areas; from Bury St Edmunds Town Council and Town Centre Management.

Practical support and advice is given by St Edmundsbury Borough Council through its Parks department and by the management of the world famous Abbey Gardens.

A highlight of the Bury in Bloom 2005 season was the presentation to HRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall of the St Edmund’s Rose. This rose was specially created by Cants of Colchester to mark the completion of the Cathedral Tower, and ten rose bushes were donated by the company for planting at Highgrove.

Members of the Executive

Mike Ames – Chair
Simon Pott – Vice-chair
Julia Rackowe – Campaign Manager
Roy Proctor – Treasurer
Carol Ingham – Secretary
Isobel Ashton – Hidden Gardens organiser
Caroline Brown – St Edmundsbury Area Parks Officer
Brian Cash – Portfolio co-ordinator
Patrick Chung – Town Council representative
Sharon Fairweather – Tourism Officer
Sue Heriott – Schools co-ordinator
Alan Jary – Cathedral representative
Mike Jones - Competition co-ordinator
Errol Lovick – Sponsors representative
Stefan Oliver – Suffolk County Council representative
Steve Peters – Town Centre Manager
David Rees – Bury Society representative
Helen Rose – Services to Business
Richard Rout – Town Council representative
Sue Thompson – Allotment holders' representative
Wendy Wells – Portfolio co-ordinator