Community groups flocked to a special by Richmond Borough in Bloom to a special coffee morning last month to launch this year’s Best Village in Bloom competition.

Then last week groups that had already applied were handed £50 vouchers from Squires Garden Centre in Twickenham.

The coffee morning took place in York House, in Richmond Road, Twickenham on Fenruary 21.

Guests included representatives of residents and business associations, as well as those from environmental projects.

Attendees heard from Nicki Urqhuart of the Barnes Society on how they set about beautifying different parts of Barnes village, last year’s overall winner.

The Best Village category aims to encourage different sections of the community in each village to enhance their own areas with improved floral display in public open space, as well as the ‘streetscene’ in shopping centres and residential frontages.

For information on the Richmond Borough in Bloom competitions, email Richmondinbloom@btconnect.com, or call 020 8744 1171.