Maxine Gordon reports on the campaign to make York blooming marvellous.

TERRY Collins knows about winning. For nine years while he worked for the council in Darlington, the town won the prestigious Northumbria in Bloom competition.

Newly arrived in York, Terry reckons the city has what it takes to win the coveted Yorkshire In Bloom award this year.

Terry, head of neighbourhood services with City of York Council, said: "We won nine years on the trot in Darlington, so I know what it takes to be a winner. York is fantastic and we can do really well. We just need everybody to come on board. I'm sure everybody will agree it's a very good thing to do."

It's five years since York last took part in the competition and, should the city win when the judges make their final inspection in July, the city would qualify for next year's Britain In Bloom competition.

Taking part in the competition is a win-win move for York, believes Terry. "The competition will bring huge benefits to York. Not only does it make the city a nicer place to work and live, the national recognition it brings can increase tourism and even boost jobs."

This year's bid for floral glory is a city-wide affair, co-ordinated by the council alongside York York City Centre Partnership, the Coppergate Centre and Askham Bryan College which, with others from the community in York, form the York In Bloom committee.

As this might suggest, Yorkshire In Bloom is a community-wide affair.

"It's not just about the council, we need to engage the whole city and it's essential we demonstrate this to the judges," said Terry.

Pubs, shops, school, households - in fact, anyone who can tend a patch of grass or plant a few bedding plants is invited to join the effort.

And it's not just about flowers, shrubs and the imaginative planting of trees. The judging committee will also be looking at how York deals with litter, graffitti, vandalsim and anti-social behaviour. York will be assessed against other communitises of more than 100,000 in Yorkshire.

"There is some fantastic work going on in schools with regards to the environment," says Terry. "Environmental gardens, wild-life planting, litter picks, which is what we want to encourage."

And he urged any school, business or household that wanted to be involved in Yorkshire In Bloom, or wanted the committee to know about work they were already doing to enhance the local environment, to contact him directly.

"We need everybody to do their bit to make sure their property looks spick and span," said Terry. "They could plant a colourful floral display and litter pick around their property or get involved with something more formal either through their parish council or local ward committee."

Before the final judging, the York In Bloom committee will be hosting its own set of awards for the best garden, pub, business and such like. York St John is running its own mini competition for the best student garden.

The first round of Yorkshire In Bloom judging took place last week and Terry says the judges were pleased. "We know they were extrememly impressed by much of the work going on, not just with the floral displays but with the recyling and the new eco depot."

So the pressure is on for July 24, when the judges return to spend a day in York for their final assessment.

Terry said: "We would like everyone to come on board and try to make a difference."

* For ideas and advice about getting involved, phone Terry on 01904 552003 or email terry.collins@york.gov.uk