Sponsors
In the main categories entry is based on population and electoral roll serves as a figures which can be verified and ensures that judging is on a like-for-like basis and is fair for all entrants.
Entry categories and their population ranges are:
| Category | Electoral Roll |
|---|---|
| Small Village of the Year | 1-300 |
| Village of the Year | 301 -1,000 |
| Large Village of the Year | 1,001 -2,500 |
| Small Town of the Year | 2,501 – 6,000 |
| Town of the Year | 6,001-12,000 |
| Large Town of the Year | 12001-35000 |
| Small City of the Year | 35001-100,000 |
| ;City of the Year | 100,001-200,000 |
| Large City of the Year | over 200,001 |
| Urban Community | up to 12,000 |
| Small Coastal | under 12,000 |
| Coastal | 12,000-100,000 |
| Large Coastal | Over 100,000 |
| It’s Your Neighbourhood | up to 1,000 |
In addition we have of non-populations based categories:
| Category | Area/Size |
|---|---|
| Town Centres | up to 1 contiguous Sq.Mile |
| City Centres | over 1 contiguous Sq.Mile |
| Business Improvement Districts | N/A |
| Business Landscape of the Year | N/A |
| Small Park of the Year | up to 5 acres |
| Park of the Year Awards | 6-10 acres |
| Large Park of the Year | over 10 acres |
| Country Park of the Year Award | N/A |
| Churchyard of the Year | N/A |
| Small Cemetery of the year | up to 5 acres |
| Cemetery/Crematoria of the Year | 5-10 acres |
| Large Cemetery/Crematoria of the Year | over 10 acres |
| Heritage Parks & Gardens | N/A |
| Small Conservation Area of the Year | up to 5 acres |
| Conservation Area of the Year | 5-10 acres |
| Large Conservation Area of the Year | over 10 acres |
Once registered or entered for South & South East in Bloom, you will receive further information. One of the standard elements of participation is a visit from our “in Bloom” judges which normally happens in June/July.
Each year our team of qualified and experienced judges and assessors visit entries to assess/judge them against the appropriate criteria. Visits last from one hour up to four hours depending on the size of the entry. For mainstream entries (Villages, Towns, Cities etc.) generally, two judges visit and for other campaigns such as Parishes, Its Your Neighbourhood, Parks, Churchyards and Cemeteries it is usually a single judge. Once judges/assessors have visited your community/entry and considered how closely the entry meets the criteria they recommend an award. Our award system recognises every entrant’s efforts in improving their local environment and award are based on the standard achieved, not just a case of Pass or Fail.
The awards are:
Certificate of Commendation 49 Points and below – no medal awarded.
Criteria & Scoring information will be made available to all those who sign up and enter our annual competition, this in the form of a manual available electronically.