For a quarter of a century the Friends of Norwich in Bloom have helped to make the city look blooming great.

Yesterday, as part of their landmark year, members of the team were at Norwich's Assembly House to encourage more volunteers to get involved, and they also enjoyed a tea party with the lord mayor Jenny Lay, the sheriff of Norwich Chris Higgins, and businesses which support the group.

Friends of Norwich in Bloom chairman Terry Bane said Norwich was this year competing in the RHS Britain in Bloom competition and that they hope to get as many volunteers and businesses as possible involved in their special anniversary year.

'It is a great honour to be an entrant in the RHS Britain in Bloom competition, and we have been lucky that Norwich has been selected four times in 10 years. In 2008 Norwich won Britain in Bloom for the first time ever,' he said.

Friends of Norwich in Bloom ambassador Bill Webster spoke of how he has seen the group grow and grow over the years, and he spoke with pride about the wonderful floral achievements of the volunteers.

'When you look around the city and see all the wonderful flowers on the roundabouts and other places, everything is mostly done by volunteers from the group,' he said.

Christine Howard is from Howard Nurseries, near Diss, which support the Friends of Norwich in Bloom.

She said: 'We have been involved in Norwich in Bloom for about 10 years and must have sponsored thousands of plants. It is so rewarding to help Norwich look fantastic.

'The Friends of Norwich in Bloom do an excellent job.'

Fellow sponsor Mark Baker, of Rackheath-based CIM Signs, said: 'It is a amazing what the friends do – they make everywhere look a lot brighter.'

The other sponsors who attended the Norwich in Bloom tea party yesterday included The Forum and Norwich Society. This year's Norwich in Bloom summer competition, in partnership with Chapelfield, includes awards for best Diamond Jubilee display and best Olympic display, as well as a huge range of other awards divided into commercial and industrial, private residential, grow your own, heritage, and sustainable display classes.

The friends are also running a Bloomin' Ale Trail, supported by Woodforde's Brewery, to coincide with Norwich City of Ale from May 31 to June 10, and the public will be asked to vote for which pubs have the best displays.

There is a separate Norwich in Bloom competition for schools.

For more information about the Friends of Norwich in Bloom visit www.norwichinbloom.co.uk

Are you launching a new community campaign? Call Evening News reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428.