A runner-up spot in Britain in Bloom 2000 spurred the city of Nottingham Council into action, says Jez Abbott. You get nothing for coming second but a nasty jolt and the need for some hard thinking, says Deb Wright, a project officer for the City ofNottingham Council. Being runner up in Britain in Bloom 2000 focused the minds of the city's horticultural chiefs, who decided something must be done to go one better. "We took coming second as a message it was time to look at what we were doing with our plants and try a more cuttingedge approach," says Wright. What they did was form a design group. "It was not easy having to accept our floral schemes in parks and on traffic islands had become dated. However, we launched the group not only to improve displays.and offer colour beyond the traditional summer months. but also to improve value for money." The 13-strong design group includes people from grounds and parks management, the council's nursery, horticulturists from the university and community groups. Wright has no doubt the decision to use two design styles - modern and traditional - helped it win a Britain in Bloom first in 2001.
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