WHEN Britain in Bloom judges arrived at Hereford Cathedral on their tour of the city they were met by a guard of honour of 10 lady cyclists with their bikes decked out in flowers.

The unusual welcome was set up by Shirley’s Wheels, a Herefordshire Council initiative to encourage more women to take up cycling and become Bicycle Ambassadors.

Project organiser Paula McGivern said: “It was great to be part of Hereford in Bloom’s bid to win Gold for the city’s flower displays”

The new club runs ‘nice and easy’ bike rides especially for women.

The city’s Bloom volunteers made an extra special effort this year to regain its Gold medal status after dropping last year to Silver Gilt due to a plant watering mishap and the beds and planters around the city centre were better than ever.

The judges were shown several community projects, starting at Saxon Hall gardens at Putson, one of Hereford’s 11 allotments, the restoration of the old rose garden on Ledbury Road, once part of the city council’s long gone plant nursery, the replanting of Ledbury Road roundabout and the Eign Road junction and new gardens in Cantilupe Street created by the residents.

Finally the volunteer gardeners at Hereford Cathedral showed off their stunning riverside gardens.

Kevin Knipe, chairman of the Bloom team, said: “The community is pulling together to enhance the city’s environment and to ensure a friendly floral welcome to visitors.

"Fingers crossed that we have done enough to persuade the judges to give the city back its gold award when the results are announced in September.”