CLEETHORPES is on a crest of a wave – which could soon see all of Europe's eyes on the resort.
In the wake of the golden celebrations at the East Midlands In Bloom awards, the Royal Horticultural Society has invited Cleethorpes to be the nation's entry in the European In Bloom competition, Entente Florale.
That could bring a team of 17 judges from all over Europe to Cleethorpes next summer.
Cleethorpes In Bloom committee members are hoping to make it a double celebration by hosting next year's national In Bloom.
It could mean more than 500 delegates from throughout the UK visiting the resort.
As Cleethorpes' In Bloomers keep their hopes high of winning the Champion of Champions award in the national competition presentation in Guernsey next month, they also hope they can persuade all other delegates to have a venue for the 2013 awards which is more central for the UK.
Chairman Bob Callison said he was excited at the chance of hosting the national competition which would coincide with the 150th anniversary of the arrival of trains in the resort.
He is also looking forward to hosting Entente Florale judges from Austria, Italy, Belgium and the Czech Republic.
"They will come from all over and spend about eight hours in Cleethorpes," he said.
"It is a very big challenge, but what more do you have to do to get Cleethorpes on the map after growing from an entry in small local competition to winning a regional competition and winning a national award and hopefully becoming Champion of Champions in Great Britain – and now we are in Europe.
"This means not just Great Britain looking at us but the whole of Europe looking at us.
"Cleethorpes has come on leaps and bounds. I am extremely proud to be a Cleethorpes boy."
He said the anniversary of the historic advent of railway links between Cleethorpes and Yorkshire and Midlands cities would be capped perfectly if the national In Bloom awards were presented in Cleethorpes.
Mr Callison said: "We have been up to Scotland, down to the south coast, been to Coventry and Wales and we are in Guernsey next month.
"It would make sense to have it in Cleethorpes. It would be a central hub and less distance for everyone to travel."
He remained tight-lipped on the venue for the presentations but said there would be no problems accommodating 500 delegates.
Caistor is celebrating In Bloom success – see page 24.
