Garden Isle Projects

Celebrating the 'Garden Isle'

The Isle of Wight is often referred to as the ‘Garden Isle’ and the Garden Isle Project it was created in 2005 to enhance key aspects of our Island Environment. From encouraging and supporting the In Bloom Competition, improving Island roundabouts and gaining commercial sponsorship, to raising the standard of entrance gateways to the Island and Island Towns.

We already have some fantastic publicly accessible gardens to be proud of including those at Osborne House, Ventnor Botanical Gardens, Ventnor Park and Rylestone Gardens in Shanklin. The Garden Isle Project is aiming to build on these success stories.

We all like to live in a pleasant environment and the Isle of Wight is certainly that, but there is room for improvement. The physical environment is an important factor in providing for our quality of life. If we can improve our environment this will have a positive effect upon the tourist industry through enhancing the experience of visitors as well as creating a pleasant place to live as well as encouraging business.

None of the above ideas can reach their full potential without the support of the Island Community encompassing residents and business alike. Many volunteers already achieve a tremendous amount and companies such as Wightlink are supporting the In Bloom competition as well as many other sponsors of selected Island Roundabouts. The Garden Isle Project will be working with contractors, sponsors and the community to develop mutual support and projects to celebrate higher quality gateways at the ferry terminals that will be seen by all residents and visitors as they approach and leave the Island.

Wight in Bloom

The Wight In Bloom competition is supported by the Isle of Wight Council with the principle objective being to improve the environment for residents, visitors and business and to promote environmental enhancements, ensuring that community involvement is maintained. In 2006 the Isle of Wight In Bloom competition once again was generously sponsored by Wightlink providing grant aid for community projects The prizes in the form of engraved glass bowls have been donated by 'Just in Glass'. Visit Wight in Bloom Competition results for 2006 by clicking /just_visiting/parks/wightbloom.asp

Throughout the Island there are thirteen In Bloom committees that organise floral displays and features in many of the towns and villages. In Bloom encourages individuals, businesses, Town and Parish Councils to provide colourful displays of plants and flowers improving the public face of our streets and town centres.

Roundabout Sponsorship

Local companies are currently sponsoring seven Island roundabouts and the Garden Isle Project is working on plans to improve and upgrade many of these. Most of the roundabouts are in prominent locations passed by several thousand motorists, cyclists and pedestrians daily. Roundabout sponsors are provided with a sign with their name and contact details clearly displayed. The sponsor’s contribution is used towards annual maintenance and development of the roundabout as well as the immediate adjacent areas.

Island Gateways

The Garden Isle Project will be working with contractors, sponsors and the Community to develop mutual support and projects to celebrate higher quality gateways at the ferry terminals that will be seen by all residents and visitors as they approach and leave the Island.

As well as improving the entrances to the Island the project will also be developing improvement proposals for various town approaches including Newport, East Cowes, Wootton and Yarmouth. There are several roadside locations that are dull and characterless and the project is aiming to inject interest into these areas and raise the standard of maintenance, landscaping and variety of planting. This will help to create a welcoming face to our towns and have a positive and uplifting effect on visitors and residents alike.

The gateway project is also seeking to open up new areas for financial and volunteer sponsorship. For example a business may wish to sponsor a floral display in a prominent location and even encourage staff to roll up their sleeves, put on their boots and get involved in team days working on practical projects to create and maintain these displays.

For any further information please fill out the ‘enquiry form’