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The charity making life better by water

Boats in Bloom inaugural awards launched

"It’s blooming marvellous on the waterways” as we celebrate green-fingered boaters and waterside gardeners. We are launching the first-ever ‘Boats in Bloom’ awards to say thank you to the many people who bring the waterways to life with plants and flowers.

Gardeners World Canal boat

Starting in May, we will be presenting colourful certificates to anyone whose boat or waterside planting is putting a smile on the face of passers-by. We are also calling on people to share photos of blossoming boats and waterways to create an online gallery to inspire and delight others.

There will also be a number of special prize categories for which people can nominate themselves or others. Nominations will run through to 31 July and will be whittled down to a shortlist by a judging panel. The shortlist will be published on our website and boaters and waterway and gardening-lovers will be able to vote for their favourites.

Matthew Symonds, our boating strategy and engagement manager said: "Take a walk along any towpath and you'll be likely to come across a boat or a garden that lifts your spirits with its beautiful blooms. With Boats in Bloom we're saying thank you to all these gardeners who bring so much pleasure to other people.

"Plants don't just look pretty – a pot of herbs or a planter full of vegetables can be a sustainable lifestyle choice, while flowers provide food for bees and butterflies. In fact there are all sorts of ways gardens bring benefits for wildlife, even if they're on the move on the roof of a boat!

"We'd love to see how boaters and waterside gardeners are transforming the space around them. If you have a favourite boat or towpath garden, or are especially proud of your own, please let us know. We want Boats in Bloom to raise a smile, give people ideas and maybe inspire them to try a spot of gardening, or boating, themselves."

The special prize categories are:

Boats in Bloom

  • Most flower filled boat
  • Most edible growing boat
  • Most imaginative use of space

Towpaths in Bloom

  • Best towpath garden or open space
  • Best towpath business in bloom
  • Best wildlife friendly towpath gardening initiative

Last Edited: 10 April 2017

photo of a location on the canals
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