Town makes shortlist for Britain in Bloom finals

A Fenland town has been shortlisted as a finalist in Britain in Bloom 2026.

Chatteris in Cambridgeshire is one of four finalists in the town category of the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) competition.

The area's flower displays are managed by Chatteris in Bloom, a community organisation of volunteers.

Chatteris in Bloom president, Sue Unwin, said the area was choosing the theme of Around the World in 80 Days, "to coincide with the Chatteris festival".

The town is up against Glastonbury in Bloom, Henley in Bloom - and Blooming Haddington, based in the East Lothian town.

Finalists will receive an RHS Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver or Bronze award at a ceremony in the autumn.

Unwin said: "We have got community spirit, pride, and we love our town, and it shows it. We love to show it off."

"Watch out, Chatteris is coming for you," she added.

The winners of each of the eight categories will be named the Britain in Bloom Overall Winner for 2026.

James Green, 47, vice chair of Chatteris in Bloom, said a "particularly small" team of volunteers currently tended the town's flowers.

"You need to have people on the ground locally who know about the neighbourhood, green spaces, where plants go in particular areas," he said.

Green said the group was keen to take on more volunteers to get involved ahead of the competition.

Anne Wells, chair of the organisation, said they were "honoured to be nominated".

"We have been chosen amongst four towns throughout the whole country to represent Anglia in Bloom within Britain in Bloom," she said.

"It is a massive accolade."

Pak Ling Wan, RHS community programme manager said: "Community gardening groups taking part in Britain in Bloom are improving people's health and wellbeing, fostering place-based community cohesion, increasing access to nature and delivering environmental benefits."

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