Tewkesbury

Chris Bavin meets a group of extraordinary Bloomers who must start from scratch every year after their gardening efforts are literally washed away. Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire is at the confluence of four rivers, which makes for a lovely setting, but one that devastates the town to a greater or lesser degree every year when the waters rise and flood the town. This year the Tewkesbury Bloomers have come up with an ambitious post-flood town which focuses on three key areas: Victoria Gardens, the public park which is next to the river, will get a complete floral makeover. Then a nature reserve which is regularly underwater will be tamed and finally the centre of the town will be crammed with colourful Blooms and flags. The volunteers are going for gold - but all of this depends on the town not flooding again before judging day.