Chorley and Croston to appear in BBC Two series Britain in Bloom

Lancashire is coming out in bloom after both Chorley and Croston were picked to feature in a new BBC television series.
Presenter Chris Bavin with gardeners from Chorley in BloomPresenter Chris Bavin with gardeners from Chorley in Bloom
Presenter Chris Bavin with gardeners from Chorley in Bloom

Both areas will show off their best floral displays in the BBC Two television show, Britain in Bloom.

The series, presented by Chris Bavin, follows communities taking part in the annual floral competition which takes place across towns and villages in the UK.

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Chris visited the picturesque village of Croston to meet the bloomers determined to win gold despite it still suffering the after effects of the devastating Boxing Day flood in 2015.

Presenter Chris Bavin with a volunteer from Croston in BloomPresenter Chris Bavin with a volunteer from Croston in Bloom
Presenter Chris Bavin with a volunteer from Croston in Bloom

Their key projects in the show include an ambitious challenge to transform an overgrown school garden; a village makeover and a show-stopping pub garden.

For Croston appearing in the series is about showing that residents have been able to come back stronger after the flood.

Martin Chaplin, secretary for Croston in Bloom, said: “The filming created a great energy and buzz around the village because once people saw the camera crew they really wanted to know what was going on.

“We were lucky with the weather, it was really warm.

Chris Bavin is presenting Britain in BloomChris Bavin is presenting Britain in Bloom
Chris Bavin is presenting Britain in Bloom
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“The whole point is to raise the profile of Croston to get people to visit so that it has an effect on the economy.”

Following the downpour which flooded more than 400 properties in Lancashire a flood prevention scheme was put in place. But those living in Croston, keen to build on the community spirit which grew out of pulling together to cope with the effect of the flood, poured their energies into building up the community, even launching a charter outlining their vision.

Appearing in the BBC series is Croston’s second moment in the limelight after it also featured in Channel 4’s competition Village of the Year.

Meanwhile the Chorley in Bloom group had been put forward for the contest. Iris Smith, chairman of Chorley in Bloom, said: “I was in a quiz on BBC Radio Lancashire and I was asked if we might be interested.

Presenter Chris Bavin with a volunteer from Croston in BloomPresenter Chris Bavin with a volunteer from Croston in Bloom
Presenter Chris Bavin with a volunteer from Croston in Bloom
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“They wanted to put our names forward so I said, ‘yes go on then, we’ll try’ and we were selected.

“Filming was hectic. I was very nervous but we are very proud of what we’ve done because we worked very hard.”

Croston will feature in the fifth episode of the series which will be shown on Friday, April 20 at 6.30pm and Chorley will feature on May 2 at 6.30pm.