NORAH Hoyles has plenty to be excited about.
Not only has she recently met the Queen to receive her MBE, she's now preparing to greet the people who could add another accolade to Garstang - on top of our
status as the world's first Fairtrade town.
The possibility of Garstang being crowned Europe's most eco-friendly village community is within our grasp.
Having gained numerous successes in regional and Britain in Bloom contests in recent years - the stage has shifted from the national to the international - and the emphasis changed from pretty petals to eco-consciousness.
Last autumn, after receiving the 2007 Britain in Bloom champions' gold gong at the Harrogate award ceremony, Garstang's bloomers were invited to enter the 2008 Entente Florale.
There was there was a rapid acceptance of the Euro-challenge, and a recognition that this contest's remit was wider than pretty petunias and burgeoning begonias.
Learning
Norah admits: "It has been a steep learning curve, but we have made it. We have had to show how we think 'green' and show that this area is well aware of the environment, and that there is a stress on 'Quality of Life' in the many aspects of everyday life.
"We know Garstang is that kind of place and will be out to show it to the jurors", she says, adding that the need for people to use the word juror which is EF terminology for judge.
The jurors will arrive at Manchester airport from
Plymouth (which is representing Britain in the town section of the EF) on August 5. They will be met by Garstang's Bloom leaders and transported by coach to Garstang Country Hotel and Golf Club for an overnight stay.
They will already be familiar with Garstang, having been provided with a specially produced portfolio depicting Garstang at its eco-best.
Crunch
August 6 is crunch day.
Before leaving on a day-long tour of the area, the 11 jurors (plus the two non-voting UK judges), will be given a DVD presentation of the area. The DVD, which has been shot in Garstang over the past few months, has been directed by Alban Thomson and co-produced by PCSO Lisa Dennett and Lynn Harter.
The tour will be by coach, canalboat and foot and include the eco-friendly rural Wyre Children's Centre on Kepple Lane (with its grass room), the Scout and Guide HQ with its recent eco-improvements, a tour of the Dewlay cheese factory (which could soon be solely wind turbine-powered), Bridge House Marina,
Nateby and a canal trip (with talks on wildlife and canal activity.
The canal trip will pass the Moss Lane eco-homes and Abbeyfield House before arriving at the Tithebarn basin, where local schoolchildren will give a clog and Maypole dancing display.
After lunch the jurors will walk from the Tithebarn via St Thomas's Church where they will meet the Bishop of Blackburn and Garstang vicar Rev Michael
Gisbourne.
A coach will then take them to the Bible Garden at Garstang United Reformed Church.
They will also view Garstang Arts Centre, where children's eco-art will be on display, and see the specially painted mural on the
Community Centre and the Discovery Centre.
From there they will walk to riverside and Garstang's outdoor sporting area.
The coach will then take the jurors to the northern end of the Millennium Green wild flower area where mention will be made of the Bowland Fells and the Scorton link path. They will also see a demonstration of use of the recently introduced all-terrain Tramper vehicles used by disabled people in parts of the rural Wyre.
Exhibition
Then its back by coach to High Street, and a walk to Bridge Street, the Royal Oak and Church Street to The Mustard Seed (Fairtrade) shop and Wesleys cafe which will be the final port of call. There will also be a photo-exhibition and display of newspaper cuttings, mainly from The Courier.
In the evening there will be a civic reception at the golf club, for about 160 people, which will undoubtedly be one of the most prestigious and memorable events ever held in Garstang.
The jurors are bound to get a good impression of Garstang's eco-efforts ... how they will compare with their thoughts on village entries in Hanfthal (Austria), Zwevegem (Belgium), Novi Vinodolski (Croatia), Tvarozna Lhota (Czech Republic), Aubigny (France), Rehinghausen (Germany), Tapiogyorgye (Hungary), Kenmare (Ireland), Berglo (Italy), Beek/Ubbergen (Netherlands) and Medana /Brda (Slovenia) will not be known until later in the year.
The awards will be announced and presented at a ceremony in Split, Croatia, on September 20.
Garstang's entry in the EF has backers from the highest ranks of British society - the Queen has sent a good luck message to the town
In a letter from Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty expressed an interest in Garstang's success with Britain in Bloom and sent "her best wishes for the European competition".