USK will soon be coming under international scrutiny as qualified volunteer Canadian and International judges will be visiting the town to assess their entry in the 2018 Communities in Bloom.

This world-wide competition sees the Usk in Bloom committee competing in the ‘small’ section of the International Challenge category against Birdhill, of Co Tipperary Ireland; Fogo from the Newfoundland and Labrador Province of Canada; Pomaretto, Torino in Italy and Tihany, from urban Veszprém in Hungary.

In July and August, the judges will visit participating communities and evaluate each one on its overall performance within the following criteria: tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape and floral displays. As community involvement is the essence of the programme, the evaluation, which provides guidance on further steps of improvement, is based on the local conditions and achievements of citizens, businesses, organizations, institutions and the municipal government working together.

The national and international communities will aim to obtain bronze, silver or gold levels in their 5-Bloom rating.

The results will be announced in Strathcona County, Alberta from 26th to 29th September, during the symposium and awards ceremonies with the theme of “Seeds for the Future”.

You can support their work by donating at www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/usk-in-bloom