One of the ways the Tetbury in Bloom Committee publicise our work and let people know what we are doing is through a regular piece written by Liz Farnham in the Tetbury Advertiser - a free monthly magazine (excluding August & January) published by The Lions Club of Tetbury.

Articles over recent months are shown below in reverse order.

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February 2011

Tetbury in Bloom – The Year Ahead

Tetbury in Bloom ended 2011 on a high.

HRH the Duchess of Cornwall has kindly agreed to be patron of Tetbury in Bloom.  This is a huge honour and a great testament to the hard work of so many. 

As the Cotswolds prepares for a surge in tourists in 2012 due to the Olympics and Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Tetbury in Bloom will do its part in helping to ensure that the town looks its best for residents and visitors alike, by maintaining its high standards and attractive, and imaginative, floral displays.    

Members of the Tetbury in Bloom team are out and about every week – even at this time of year.  Back in November they also helped out by putting the lights on over fifty Christmas trees in the town centre; in December they acted as marshals for the torch-lit procession and in January they helped with taking the Christmas trees down.  What a dedicated, hardy, bunch they are – for which we are extremely grateful.  If you are seeking a new exercise regime, or a worthwhile cause to join, please contact Sue Hirst on 504213 – the more the merrier. 

So many of you have told me how much you enjoyed the meadow alongside the ford at Cutwell.  I know of photographs being sent to relatives in America and also that it inspired beautiful poetry.  Others have asked how we created it.  We used the Pictorial Meadows native cornflower seed mix - a mix of pretty native annuals: field poppy, cornflower, corn marigold, scentless mayweed and corn cockle.   In order to obtain the same effect this year, we will have to sow afresh and so the area may look a little bare at present but please do bear with us – it is worth the wait.  To achieve the look yourself:

In early spring, remove any grass and weeds

Lightly roughen the surface and rake over to create a fine tilth

Wait three or four weeks and remove any remaining weeds or grass   

Once the plot is weed and grass free, you are ready to sow in the bare soil.  Good luck.

As we begin a new year our thoughts turn to plans for another season including: new planting schemes with less reliance on summer bedding; suitable locations to introduce more wildflowers to the town; hanging baskets and the epic task of watering them and new fund raising ideas. 

Our autumn fund raising event, “A Hot Night at the Dogs” race night on 19^th November was another great success and a fun evening was had by all.  Thank you to everyone who attended, to Colin Poole and Paul Stead for cooking the food and to our sponsors: John Newman, The Ark Angel, The Close Hotel, The Tetbury Art Gallery, Grosvenor House Practice, Haine and Smith opticians, Anne Fowler antiques, Sentiments florists, and the George Veterinary Group. 

Fund raising is important to Tetbury in Bloom.  We are a not-for-profit organisation and all money we raise goes towards “in Bloom” projects which, last year, included more spring bulbs, summer bedding, box trees, wildflower seed, shrubs, tubs, troughs, sundries, signage and over 60 bags of compost!   Gardening is not necessarily a cheap hobby, but it is a worthwhile one, as I hope you will agree.   

December 2011

Merry Christmas from Tetbury in Bloom

It has been another busy year for Tetbury in Bloom and I wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made it possible.  A special thank you to:

The day team, who are out every Tuesday and Thursday, year round, regardless of the weather: Sue Hirst, Ange and Pete Morrissey, Frances Collinson, Mike Kniveton, Kirsty Taylor, Janet Hedley, Emma Thomas, Dee Buss and Alan Simcock.

The Tetbury Town Council grounds staff, Les Triggs, David Thompson and Colin Woodward, who keep the grass mowed and the town looking so well manicured.

Sue Bailey, our Town Clerk, who helped to judge the local garden competition.

Paul Grimes, from Wotton Farm Shop, for supplying us with the beautiful hanging baskets and summer bedding and Tim Cordall for supplying us with many of our perennials

Christine and Barry Gibbs, Ange and Pete Morrissey, Frances and Tom O’Brien, Julie and Alan Simcock, Cordy and Trevor Snell, Sue and Jeremy Townsend, Lise and Chris White and Pauline and Charles Whittaker for opening their beautiful gardens to the public; an event which has proved so successful that it has become an annual event in the Tetbury diary – please make a note of next year’s date, Sunday 24th June.

My Mum, Rachel O’Brien (no relation to Frances and Tom) for baking the cakes, Stephen Hirst for supplying more cakes as raffle prizes, and to Chris Gibson and the ladies of the Women’s Institute for helping to serve them.

Jackie Wheels, Elizabeth Sykes and Celestine Bridgeman, from the Oxford Wine Company, for organising another entertaining wine tasting evening.

Richard Glanville and the Cotswold Wardens, together with children and parents from Saint Mary’s Primary School and Sir William Romney’s, who assisted us in the planting of over 120 saplings to mark the launch of Britain in Bloom 2011.

Kate Thompson and the pupils of Saint Mary’s Primary School for another stunning mural, which captured, beautifully, the town of Tetbury and the “in bloom” theme.

Builders Ede Ltd, who kindly donated the boards for the third year running.

The new owners of 44 Long Street, for enabling us to have a summer exhibition of photographs in the town.

The Art Gallery, Long Street, for framing and displaying the picture of the mural.

The many businesses who dressed their shop window displays so cleverly, to coincide with the Britain in Bloom judging.

Derek Jackson, the Mayor Rob McCorkell, other town dignitaries, including the members of the Women’s Institute, for welcoming the judges to Tetbury, thereby demonstrating the enormous levels of support we receive.

The residents of Cookspool who worked so very hard to ensure that their gardens were immaculate for the judge’s visit and Monica Clark, Princess Capener, Barbara Ball, Jeremy Townsend, Theo Martin and Emilia Thomas, Elizabeth Sykes and The Rev Canon John Wright, who met the judges along the route.

Pam Bird, Di Bryan, Peter Lisle-Taylor, Ken Jones, Basil Mason Smith, Roger Gibson and Bill Buss, who were up early and keeping one step ahead of the judges, ensuring that no odd bits of litter were left lying around.

Kevin Farnham (my husband) for his beautiful photographs. 

The Cubs, Scouts, Guides and the many volunteers who helped us to sweep the streets – between us we collected an impressive 4.4 tons of debris!

Scott Williams and Andrew Woropaj of CDC, who arranged for the collection and disposal of the waste, and to Tetbury Fire station for allowing us to store the bins in their yard.

The Feoffees and John Latter for helping us to create the wildflower meadow alongside Cutwell ford – a particular favourite with passersby, who can regularly be seen taking photographs and consulting the display boards.

The Women’s Institute for including us in their plans to commemorate the marriage of TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

John Newman of Jesse Smith Butchers for providing the burgers and hot dogs at our November Dog Racing evening; Colin Poole and Paul Stead for cooking the food; the businesses who sponsored the races and those of you who joined in another fun evening.

Ken White for his help with fund raising and, of course, our donors and supporters, including: Tetbury Town Council, Tetbury Upton Parish Council, the Lions Club of Tetbury, The Feoffees of Tetbury, Tetbury and Cirencester Civic Societies,  the Rotary Club of the South Cotswolds, Saint Mary’s Parochial Church  Council, Anglian Home Improvements, Gloucester Market Towns Forum, IHS Energy, the Woolsack Committee, Xograph, Perry Bishop and Chambers, The Tetbury Tailor, The Tetbury Pot, The Highgrove Shop, Tesco, Edward Blake Ltd, Jesse Smiths, Moloh, Boho, Overider, The Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Hobbs House Bakery, Jester Antiques, Artique, Tetbury Audi, Clark and Maslin, Jewson’s, Eagle Plant and the Tetbury Camera Club.

Heron Bellhouse, the owner of Chipping Court, who kindly installed an outside tap to assist us in the huge job of watering the baskets.

Everyone who bought hanging baskets from us or who attended our fund raising events.

Until next year .... A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all from the Tetbury in Bloom Committee: Sue, Mel, Ange, Stephen, Ian, Pete, Kevin and me.

 

November 2011

Tetbury in Bloom

I am pleased to be able to report that we were awarded our second Silver Gilt award in the Britain in Bloom finals, narrowly missing out on a Gold!  Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved.

The overall Small Town winner was Saint Martin, Guernsey, who won the only Gold in our category.  Nearby Thornbury and Bristol won Gold in the Town and City categories respectively.  Bath won Silver Gilt in the Small City Category and Upton upon Severn won Silver in the Large Village Category.  Cricklade won Gold and were pronounced overall Champion of Champions 2011 in their category, in recognition of their consistently high track record  – well done to them all. 

Our judges, Rae Beckwith and Sharon Thomas, said “It was very clear to the judges that the residents of Tetbury have a huge sense of pride in their town.  The many floral baskets and containers were generally of a very high standard.  The shop window competition was proving to be an important part of the fabric of town life.  The support from many town groups gave extra impetus to the Bloom campaign and contributed to its achievements.  All areas of the town covered by the tour were clean, and special mention should be made of the car park toilets.  The children’s artwork at the gap site was very good and was proving to be a hit with all those who passed by.”

We all had a lovely evening at the awards ceremony in the grand setting of the Fairmont Hotel, Saint Andrews.  The Upton upon Severn “Bloomers” drove the whole way, there and back, in a day!  Since we were paying for the trip ourselves we decided to make a long weekend of it and had a lovely time exploring Fife. 

Best of all have been the wonderful comments and the messages of support we have received from so many of you.  Carolyn Witcher of Northfield Road summed Tetbury’s in Bloom campaign up so very well ... on nights when the television news was full of riots across the country, the people of Tetbury were out sweeping the streets and helping to make our town such a wonderful place to live!

The hard work continues.  We are preparing the flowerbeds for the winter and planting more spring bulbs.  Also, our fund raising activities continue.  At the time of writing this article tickets were still available for the “Hot Night at the Dogs” race night on Saturday 19^th November in the Dolphins Hall.  Included in the £5.00 ticket price are light refreshments and entry into a draw to win a bottle of champagne.  Hot dogs and burgers, kindly donated by Jessie Smith Butchers, will also be on sale.  All monies raised go to Tetbury in Bloom projects and next year’s floral displays.  To obtain your ticket, contact Sue Hirst on 504213.

 

Sue and Stephen Hirst collecting Tetbury’s Silver Gilt Award from presenter Rachel de Thame

 

 

October 2011

Tetbury in Bloom - Competition Results

At the time of writing this article we have yet to learn the results of the Britain in Bloom competition.  For that Sue, Mel, Stephen, Ian, Kevin and I must travel to St Andrews for the Awards Ceremony on 25th September.  All will be revealed at our own Prize Giving evening in the Dolphins Hall on 30th September!

I can, however, announce the results of the Local Garden and the Shop Window Display competitions.   The Local Garden competition took place during the weekend of 9th and 10th July and the shop window displays were judged on the afternoon of 8th August, to coincide with judging of Britain in Bloom.  The standard was very high again this year.  Well done to everyone who entered.

Commercial Container Planting: Abbeyfield (Silver Gilt); Artique (Gold); Bonhams (Silver Gilt); Hortensia (Bronze); Jesse Smiths Butcher (Gold); Skeins (Silver Gilt); Tetbury Town Council (Gold); The Close Hotel (Gold); The Feoffees (Gold and Category Winner): The Snooty Fox (Gold)

Commercial Garden: Hortensia (Gold and Category Winner); Peter Herve House (Silver)

Newly Created Garden: Will Cook, Northfield Road (Silver); Janette Hayhurst, Cornwall Close (Silver Gilt); Joan Stead, Combers End (Silver Gilt) and Terri White, Newleaze Gardens (Gold and Category Winner)

Private Rear Garden: Rob and Margaret Gibbs, Newleaze Gardens (Gold and Category Winner); Doreen Hampson, Chavenage Lane (Gold); Diana Melville, Wheat Hill  (Bronze); Julie Simcock, Old Rope Walk (Gold); Gerda Smith, Close Gardens (Gold) and Sue and Jeremy Townsend, Cutwell (Gold)

Private Front Garden: Diana Melville, Wheat Hill (Silver) and Gerda Smith, Close Gardens (Silver)

Private Container Planting:  Ali Bristow, Long Street (Gold and Category Winner); Roy Browning, Charlton Road (Gold); Diana Melville, Wheat Hill (Silver); Gerda Smith, Close Gardens (Gold); and Terri White, Newleaze Gardens (Silver Gilt)

Wildlife Friendly Garden: Barry and Christine Gibbs, Chavenage Lane (Gold and Category Winner); Doreen Hampson, Chavenage Lane (Silver Gilt); Peter Herve House (Silver); Diana Melville, Wheat Hill (Silver) and Hortense Oates, Market Place (Gold )

Shop Window Display: Artique (Gold); Boho (Silver); Break (Silver); Creative Hairdressing (Gold); Direct Import (Silver); Eight Bells Gallery (Silver Gilt); George Vetinerary Group (Gold); Global Travel (Commended); Grosvenor House (Silver); Hobbs House Bakery (Gold); Highgrove (Silver Gilt); Mistral (Silver Gilt); Jenny Norden (Silver); Kitchenmonger (Silver); Qetty Bang Bang (Commended); Sassy and Boo (Commended); Sentiments (Gold); Skeins (Silver); Tenovous (Silver Gilt); Tetbury Hardware (Silver Gilt); The Doctors Surgery (Silver Gilt); The Tetbury Tailor (Gold and Category Winner) and Tourist Information Centre (commended)

Once again, thank you to Ali and George Bristow of “Artique” who donated the commemorative brass plaques, given to each of the category winners.

We did not hold a children’s painting competition this year.  Instead we asked pupils from Saint Mary’s to paint town landmarks and flowers and Kev (my husband) and Kate Thompson turned them into the design for the amazing mural that is currently displayed at the Matbro site on London Road.  Because there was not room for all the beautiful pictures on the mural, others were turned into posters to advertise the judging date for Britain in Bloom, which you may also have seen those displayed around the town.  What a talented lot you all are and what a beautiful addition the mural makes to the town.  Thank you and well done to you all.

The hard work and fund raising continues.  On 19th November we will be holding another Race Night – “A Hot Night at the Dogs”.  Thank you to John Newman of Jessie Smith Butchers for sponsoring the event and to Colin Poole and Paul Stead for agreeing to cook the burgers and hot dogs.  Given the success of the horse racing night earlier in the year it should be a wonderful evening.  To obtain your ticket, contact Sue Hirst on 504213. We look forward to seeing you there.

 

September 2011

Thank You from Tetbury in Bloom

As I complete this article on the 10th August, the RHS judges Rae Beckwith (former Area Manager for Gateshead Council for 20 years and, himself, seven-times finalist in Britain in Bloom) and Sharon Thomas (involved in East Midlands in Bloom and Landscape Development Manager for Amber Valley Borough Council) are on their way to judge another town. 

It has been a wonderful day.  We could not have done more and we certainly could not have done it without the continued support of so many people.  Well done and thank you to everyone involved. In particular, thank you to:

Tetbury Audi for the loan of car used to take the judges around and Barry Cook for driving us so expertly

The residents of Cookspool who presented their immaculate gardens to the judges

The “day team” (Sue Hirst, Ange and Pete Morrissey, Frances Collinson, Emma Thomas, Kirsty Taylor, Janet Hedley, Dee Buss and Alan Simcock) for maintaining the flowerbeds and the Council grounds staff (Les, David and Colin) for all their support

Stephen Hirst, often with the assistance of Ian Maslin, for the many hours of watering

Everyone who came out, night after night, to help sweep the entire route, twice!  A special mention to Christian and Max for all their assistance and enthusiasm – on some evenings we had over twenty helpers out and on one evening the age range spanned nearly eighty years!

Those of you who were out and about from 5:45am this morning and who patrolled the route putting the final polish on things!

The people who were positioned around town to greet the judges: Emilia Thomas, Theo Martin, Princess and Jack Capener, Monica Clark, Barbara Ball, Jeremy Townsend, The Rev. John Wright, Tim Cordall and Elizabeth Sykes

Everyone who spruced up their own corner of town and put out pots of beautiful flowers

Eagle Plant for the tools

Tesco’s management, staff and their contractors for their support 

Ken White and IHS Energy for all their assistance

The businesses in the town who participated in the shop window display competition, demonstrating their usual creativity and sense of humour, and to Imogen Martin for her assistance with judging

Derek Jackson, our Town Crier

Everyone who turned up at the exhibition to show their support and who made the day so very special – there are just too many of you to mention individually in the short space I have in this article

The Feoffees for the loan of the Market Hall and John Latter for helping us with transport

The Camera Club, and Clark and Maslin for their support with the exhibition and Kevin Farnham (my husband) for another stunning display

The Women’s Institute for the welcome cup of tea at the end of the tour and Mel Maslin for organising the line-up

The management and staff of the Close Hotel who put themselves out to serve us lunch at 11 o’clock! 

The judges were impressed by the levels of community support but “did not give anything away”.  We must now wait until 25th September to be given the results.

Our thoughts and best wishes go to the Dunnington team in North Yorkshire who, on the morning of their judging, suffered a devastating storm which felled trees and brought floods.    

It has been a busy summer for us in many other ways.

The Open Gardens Day, held on the 28th June, was another great success.  The sun shone bringing visitors out in force. Our sincerest thanks go to: Christine and Barry Gibbs, Frances and Tom O’Brien, Julie and Alan Simcock, Cordy and Trevor Snell, Sue and Jeremy Townsend, Pauline and Charles Whittaker and Lise and Chris White for opening their gardens to the public and for the warm welcome given; to the ladies of the Women’s Institute and Pete Morrissey for running the Cutwell Cafe; and to Rachel (my Mum) and Stephen Hirst for the delicious homemade cakes.  Congratulations to Janet Headley and Peter Martin for winning the raffle.  

Judging of the local garden competition took place over the weekend of the 9th and 10th July. Thank you to the Town Clerk, Sue Bailey, for her support with the judging and for giving up her weekend.   It was lovely to receive so many new entries and, as usual, the standard was very high.  I will announce the results in next month’s article. 

Kev and I went on the wonderful visit to Highclere Castle, arranged so expertly by the Civic Society.  Thank you to the Civic Society for their donation.

We held an exhibition in the newly renovated Old Doctor’s Surgery, Long Street.  Thank you to the new owners for suggesting the idea and for so whole heartedly getting behind Tetbury in Bloom.

And, on 13th July we unveiled the spectacular mural designed and painted by pupils of Saint Mary’s Primary School, with support from Kate Thompson.  This artwork makes a wonderful addition to the town.  Well done to everyone involved. 

 

July 2011

Britain in Bloom Judging

I am delighted to be able to report that, at last, we have been advised by the RHS of the date that Tetbury will be judged as part of the 2011 Britain in Bloom campaign.  The date for your diaries is the morning of Wednesday 10^th August.  Please do come along to the Market Hall to meet the judges - your presence will demonstrate just how much the community of Tetbury supports the campaign, and this really will make all the difference to how well we fair in the competition, with one quarter of the points allocated to “Community Participation”. The Market Hall will be open from 10.15am.  Light refreshments will be available. There will also be an opportunity to view an exhibition of the work carried out by Tetbury in Bloom over the past seven years.  We look forward to seeing you there. 

Very many thanks go to the Feoffees for allowing us to use the Market Hall; members of the Tetbury Evening Women’s Institute, who will be on hand to serve the refreshments; the camera club for the loan of the display boards and the digital projector; and Derek Jackson, (the Town Crier) for agreeing to welcome the judges in his inimitable style.  Also a special thank you to Da-Xia Bessant and the stallholders at the weekly craft fair for kindly agreeing to rearrange their schedule that week, thereby freeing up the Market Hall.

 The judging route is now well established.  The morning will commence with the judges being welcomed on the steps of the Market Hall by the Town Crier, the Tetbury in Bloom team and the Council outside work force, with whom we work closely.  Then there will be the obligatory short presentation, highlighting our year round achievements and those initiatives that we will not have time to show the judges in person.  The tour itself will commence at 8:45am and include:

· The glorious hanging baskets and the floral displays along Long Street. 

· The flowerbeds along London Road: at the roundabout, Braybrooke Close, Tesco’s and the Priory Industrial Estate.

· The front gardens of Cookspool.

· A new mural, designed and painted by the pupils of Saint Mary’s, screening the entrance to the vacant Matbro site – thank you once again to Builders Ede for supplying the boards and for giving us permission to display them.

· The flowerbeds at Old Coombe House, the fire station and the Knapp.

· The new wildflower planting along the verges of Cutwell and alongside the ford.

· The trees on West Street and Brewery Lane car parks, and the award winning flowerbeds outside the public conveniences!

· Saint Mary’s churchyard, including the “wedding cake” tree, Cornus Controversa Variegata, planted by HRH Duchess of Cornwall to commemorate the royal wedding.

· The shop window displays along Church Street and the floral displays around the Market Hall.

· The historic Chipping Steps.

We will then return to the Market Hall to meet the town dignitaries and our supporters and to enjoy a well-earned cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit. 

Judging of the Tetbury in Bloom shop window display competition will therefore be held at 3pm on Monday 8^th August, giving us plenty of time to issue the certificates. 

Later this month we will be delivering pamphlets to all residents and businesses along the route, confirming the judging time and asking for support in ensuring that the town looks its best on 10^th August – please check outside on the morning to remove any litter or weeds and hide unsightly wheelie bins and recycling boxes from view.  Such attention to detail really does help and could very well make the difference between a Silver-Gilt award and that coveted Gold that we so narrowly missed out on in 2009! 

Thank you to Edward Blake Ltd and the Civic Society for their kind donations and to the Woolsack committee for naming us as one of the beneficiaries of Woolsack Day. 

Once again, thank you for your continued support and wish us luck!

Finally, to all you clubs and societies out there, remember the Flower Show and the scarecrow competition on Sunday 14^th August – we relish the challenge! 

 

June 2011

Local Garden Competition

It is fast approaching the time of year when we turn our thoughts to our local garden competition.

The competition is open to all residents and businesses in Tetbury.  It is our opportunity to recognise the talents and expertise of local gardeners who help to make Tetbury so beautiful.  It is always a pleasure to see what others are doing.

This year the competition will be held during the weekend of the 9^th and 10^th July.  As usual, there are nine categories and so I hope that there is something for you all.  The deadline for the receipt of entries Friday 1^st July and entry is free.

To apply, simply complete and return the attached entry form; it is as easy as that! 

Again this year the competition will be judged by our very own Sue Hirst (Tetbury in Bloom Team Leader); team member and previous winner, Ange Morrissey and Sue Bailey the Town Clerk.  Between them they have a wealth of horticultural experience and qualifications, so we are delighted that they are again willing to give up a weekend to support us.  Together they will be assessing: visual impact, colour, the variety of plants, general tidiness, well cared for lawns with neat edges (as appropriate), the absence of weeds, environmentally responsible garden practices (such as composting facilities and water butts) and, of course, overall imagination and that thing called “wow factor”. 

If you haven’t entered before, why not give it a go?

We are hugely grateful to former Tetbury in Bloom member Ali Bristow and her husband George of “Artique” who, since 2006, have commissioned and donated the commemorative brass plaques, given to the winners of each category.  This year they are celebrating forty years of trading in Tetbury and we wish to offer our congratulations and to thank them very much for their generous support over the years. 

Also thank you to Tetbury Town Council for their contribution towards plants for the town.

Do remember the local Open Gardens Day on 26^th June.  Different gardens will be open this year – look out for the posters advertising the event and visit us at Woolsack to obtain your ticket in advance.

Finally, we were delighted to be asked to judge the shop window display competition to commemorate the Royal Wedding.  Didn’t the town look festive?  A very well done to everyone who joined in and to those who made 29^th April such a wonderful day for us all.

 

May 2011

Calendar of Events

Tetbury in Bloom – Calendar of Events

As we approach summer, the work of Tetbury in Bloom increases.  Also, we have lots of exciting projects in the pipeline.  Here are some dates for your diaries:

Tuesday 3^rd May – we are delighted to be working with the WI as they plant a “Wedding Cake tree”, Cornus Controversa Variegata, in Saint Marys, to commemorate the Royal Wedding.  What a wonderful legacy and a delightful addition to the churchyard.

Monday 30^th May – we continue to support the Woolsack Day Street Fair.  As usual we will be holding a plant stall and this year we will also be selling bird nesting boxes, made by the students of the Butterfly Garden charity.  If you have any unused, serviceable, second hand garden tools, which we could also sell to boost our funds, please let Sue Hirst know on 504213. Otherwise, do seek us out on the day - we would love to see you.

Every Tuesday and Thursday evening, from 2^nd June until judging day, from 7:30 pm onwards, work parties will be out planting the flowerbeds and troughs with summer bedding, weeding, edging the verges, sweeping the streets and generally “titivating” the judging route. If you are interested in joining in, please contact Sue Hirst on the day to find out where we will be working on a particular evening, on 504213.  It is a good way to get some exercise and brings with it great satisfaction.

On Thursday 2^nd June, we will accept delivery of the summer hanging baskets and the summer season can officially begin!

Sunday 26^th June – we will be holding our second Open Gardens Day.  Last year’s event was a huge success so do come along and judge for yourself.  (Tickets will be available to purchase in advance at our Woolsack stall, from  Ange Morrissey on 505723 or on entry at any of the open gardens on the day.)

Saturday 9^th and Sunday 10^th July – we will be holding the annual local garden competition.  I will be providing more details in my next article, together with an application form.

Between 1^st and 12^th August the RHS Britain in Bloom judges will be visiting Tetbury.  (Unfortunately we have to wait until next month to be told the exact date.)  As usual we will be holding an exhibition in the Market Hall, which we hope you can attend to demonstrate to the judges, first-hand, the amazing level of support the campaign receives.

Sunday 25^th September 2011 – the RHS will be holding the Britain in Bloom Awards Presentation in St Andrew’s, Scotland.  This is when we will discover the results of the judges’ assessment!

Friday 30^th September 2011 – we will be holding our own Prize Giving evening for winners of the local garden competition and the children’s’ painting competition.  It will also give us an opportunity to thank all our supporters.

Our fund raising activities also continue throughout the year.

Thank you to the Highgrove Shop, IHS Energy, Tetbury Lions, Tetbury Pot, Tesco, Tetbury Upton Parish Council, and The Rotary Club of the South Cotswolds for their generous donations.  Thank you to Jewson’s for supplying us with more paint with which to spruce-up the street furniture along the judging route.  Also, thank you to the Cotswold Volunteer Wardens and pupils of Saint Mary’s and Sir William Romney’s for supporting the tree planting event back in March and the Community Payback Team for their on-going work.  A full list of sponsors is on our website at: www.tetburyinbloom.org.uk.

 

I really can’t stress too strongly, the importance of your continued support.  Thank you one and all.

 

Bloomers, Cotswold Volunteer Wardens and enthusiastic volunteers planted over 110 trees on 26^th March.

 

April 2011

Plans for 2011

As you know, we have aspirations to win a Gold award in the national Britain in Bloom competition this year.  Only 18 Gold medals were awarded in total last year, across all 13 categories and 66 entrants; but we like a challenge. 

We have previously scored very highly for Horticultural Achievement (which represents 50% of the marks) and Community Participation (a further 25%) and so new projects will, in the main, focus on the area of Environmental Responsibility.  This includes such activities as: wildlife habitat, recycling, minimising demand placed on natural resources, the management and development of local heritage, art in the landscape and pride of place. 

Our principal new project for 2011 will be planting the grassy area alongside the ford at the bottom of Cutwell with wildflowers.  A big thank you to the Feoffees (the owners of the land) for their permission and support.  With this in mind Sue, Kev and I recently visited the National Wildflower Centre, on the outskirts of Liverpool, for advice from the experts and we also had a visit from David Wassell MBE (former Heart of England in Bloom judge) to talk us through what we need to do to achieve the best results.  Weather permitting, an annual wildflower cornfield seed mix should be easy to grow and should result in a spectacular display within 10 to 12 weeks of sowing. 

We will also be seeking to enhance the wildflower area in the Saint Mary’s and to continue to maintain the more formal displays in the churchyard.   We have assisted the Parochial Church Council by installing two more memorial benches and have plans to create a new memorial flowerbed where Canon Michael C.G. Sherwood’s ashes were interred. (He was Vicar at Saint Mary’s between 1961 and 1986)  Thank you to the Parochial Church Council for their kind donation towards these projects. 

Continuing the environmental theme, and following the receipt of a grant from the Gloucestershire Market Town Forum for which we are very grateful, we will be replacing all 21 tubs around the town (Chipping Steps, London Road and the Old Brewery Lane car park) with new, high-tech, self-watering planters.  Not only will this make Tetbury in Bloom’s task of watering much easier but, in turn, this should help produce even more spectacular displays, even in the hottest of summers. 

With the Women’s Institute, we will be doing our bit to celebrate the Royal Wedding by planting a “wedding cake” tree, Cornus Controversa Variegata.  With its small creamy-white flowers covering the horizontal branches in May, it will definitely have “wow factor”. 

Tetbury in Bloom will also be judging the local shop window displays. 

At the time of writing, with the help of the pupils of both schools and with the support of Steven Mackay (Headmaster) and Cotswold Warden Richard Glanville and his colleagues, we have arranged to plant 105 native-species saplings in the grounds of Sir William Romney’s School.  This is to mark the launch of the 2011 Britain in Bloom campaign.  The trees were specially chosen to provide habitat and food sources for native wildlife. Can you believe that species such as oak and birch support over ten times as many insects as larch?  In addition, they will provide a lasting legacy for generations to come.     

We have commissioned bird boxes from the Cheltenham-based “The Butterfly Garden” a charity educational gardening and land skills project which supports students with learning difficulties, disabilities and/or behavioural problems.  (If you want to find out more, check out their website at www.thebutterflygarden.org.)  Some will be given to the Saint Mary’s Garden Club members to erect on our behalf and others will be on sale at Woolsack.  We eagerly wait to learn whether they attract any birds this year.    

We are also pleased to continue to support the Saint Mary’s Garden Club, by purchasing seeds and offering support and advice.  This is another great initiative to introduce youngsters to the joys of gardening and the great outdoors. We will also be running another design competition for a new mural on the site at London Road and are delighted that the school wishes to retain last year’s artwork to adorn the infant school.

And, finally, we will be holding our second Open Gardens Day on Sunday 26 June.  We are hoping to include even more gardens as part of this year’s event.  If you would be interested in opening your garden to the public and are at home that weekend, we would be delighted to hear from you.  Please contact Ange Morrissey on 505723.  Otherwise, it’s another date for the diary. 

The “Britain in Bloom Gold Cup” race night, held in February, set us off to a great start and raised an impressive £973.68 towards these and all our projects this year!  A big thank you to Boho, Hobbs House Bakery, Jesters Antiques, John Newman, Moloh, Overider , The Tetbury Tailor and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for sponsoring the races and to so many of you who came along to show your support.  I hope that you enjoyed the evening as much as we did. 

Our next fund raising event will be the annual wine tasting evening on Friday 15 April. Tickets cost £10 each. At the time of writing, a few tickets are still available, so to obtain your tickets, please contact Sue Hirst on 504213, or email her on sue@tetburyinbloom.org.uk 

 

March 2011

Finalists Seminar  and other matters

On 27th January Sue Hirst and I attended the Britain in Bloom seminar in Liverpool, the European Union City of Culture in 2009.    It was an opportunity to find out what is expected of us and to meet the judges.  We also had a talk from Matthew Pottage (RHS Master of Horticulture) regarding the role of mature trees in the urban landscape and discussed the role of “in Bloom” groups in supporting the “Big Society” initiative, with an estimated 115,000 volunteers donating an estimated 1.7 million hours to the Britain in Bloom campaign alone.

Roger Burnett, Chairman, and one of our judges two years ago, asked us to pass on his regards and best wishes for the coming year.  He remembers his visit to Tetbury fondly and has high expectations of us! 

Rae Beckwith (Area Manager for Gateshead Council’s Local Environmental Services and referee for the annual Gateshead Flower Show) and John Woodward (Vice-Chairman of Floral Guernsey) will be judging us this year.  This time around we will be competing alongside:

· Ahoghill, Northern Ireland – Gold award winner and Best Small Town in the 2010  Ulster in Bloom competition, Silver award winner last year in Britain in Bloom and Calor Village of the Year 2009/10

· Dunnington, Yorkshire - twice entrant into Britain in Bloom, runner-up in 2006, also aiming for their first Gold award

· St Martin, Guernsey – 2006 Britain in Bloom Gold winner and overall Category Winner that year

· Stony Stratford – only formed in 2007 and yet twice entrant into Britain in Bloom, winning Silver Gilt on both occasions

· Wareham – three times Gold award winner in the South and South East regional competition.

Unfortunately we won’t be told when we will be judged until June and no amount of cajoling can change this!   All I can tell you, at this stage, is that it will be sometime during the fortnight between 1st and 13th August.

To mark the official launch of the Britain in Bloom 2011 campaign, this year’s theme is tree planting.  On 26th March, with the assistance of the Cotswold Wardens and school children, we will be doing our bit to mark the “Big Tree Year”.  In December the Government launched a campaign to plant a million trees across England by 2015.  The “Big Tree offer” supports this initiative by increasing the number of trees in towns, cities and residential areas across the country.  Britain in Bloom has partnered with the Woodland Trust to offer free trees.  We have ordered 105 native saplings, a mix of hawthorn, hazel, birch, rowan, oak and blackthorn to create habitat for native wildlife. 

On 15th April we will be holding a Wine Tasting evening and fund-raising event, in conjunction with the Oxford Wine Company.  At the time of writing, tickets have just gone on sale, price £10.00 each.  To reserve your tickets please contact Sue Hirst (504213).  This will be the third year we have held this event; it has proved both extremely informative and great fun.  Do come along and judge for yourself.

We are still taking orders for our new ‘ball’-style summer hanging baskets, filled with red, pink, scarlet and apricot trailing begonias.   They cost £25 each and will be available from the beginning of June.  To reserve your hanging basket, call Sue Hirst on 504213, email her at slee@tecres.net or complete and return the attached order form.  All profits go towards funding other Tetbury in Bloom initiatives.  Also, the more hanging baskets and floral displays, the more impressive the town will look throughout the summer, not just for judging day itself.

In fact, the first of this year’s floral displays should be underway.  The snowdrops and cyclamen  in Saint Mary’s churchyard in particular should create a wonderful display from February through March; these will be followed by daffodils, primula, tulips and bluebells. 

Thank you to The Tetbury Tailor, Xograph, Perry Bishop and Chambers and the many kind individuals for their donations.

February 2011

Planning for the Year Ahead

2011 is a big year for Tetbury in Bloom as we enter the national Britain in Bloom campaign (run by the Royal Horticultural Society) for the second time. 

As I learned on my Masters in Project and Programme Management, “good project planning is crucial to project success”.  Planning ahead is equally important to Tetbury in Bloom.

On 17th November last year we met with Les Goodman (former judge with the Heart of England in Bloom) to discuss our plans for 2011 and what we need to do to achieve that elusive gold award.  As I write this article, we eagerly await the seminar on 27th January, in Liverpool, when we get to meet the judges and representatives from the other small towns around the country.

We have come a long way since 2005 when the new team formed to re-plant the flowerbed on the Knapp, replacing the summer bedding with mixed planting schemes, which now give Tetbury its unique look.  But we cannot be complacent. 

Our floral displays and the impressive levels of community involvement are our main strengths.  It has, however, been suggested that, as with the flowerbeds, we initiate a colour scheme for all hanging baskets, particularly those in and around the Market Hall.  Also, we need to do more for wildlife and, in particular, create more extensive wildflower areas.  Otherwise, we “just” have to maintain the high standard in everything we do!

Our new style hanging baskets will create spherical flower displays and be less prone to drying out so quickly.  Comprising trailing begonias in red, pink, scarlet and apricot shades they will compliment, perfectly, those on the Market Hall.  They are available for residents and businesses to order now, at a price of £25 per basket. Please support us by contacting Sue Hirst on 504213 to reserve your basket as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We would be delighted to hear from you if you wish to join one of the working parties, helping to turn our plans into reality.  There is a lot to do, even at this time of year.  You don’t need to be a horticultural expert - instruction will be given!  You just need an enthusiasm and to be able to work as part of a team.   Sue, Ange and Pete, with help from Kirsty, Frances, Mike and Emma, are out twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, weather permitting!  Also we will shortly be commencing weekend work parties, once a month, to tackle bigger projects.  The more people can help, the easier it is and the more fun we have. 

But we can’t do anything without funding.  Whilst we hold our own fund raising events (the Race Night on 26th February; a wine tasting evening on 15th April; the sale of hanging baskets, a plant stall at the Woolsack Day Fair, and an Open Gardens Day in June), Tetbury in Bloom remains reliant on donations and gifts in-kind.    Given that we are in the national finals, we estimate that we need to raise £8,000 this year.  Thank you to the Feoffees for their generous donation that has set us on our way to achieving this target.  If you can help us in any way, do please let us know by contacting Sue Hirst on 504213.  Remember, every penny raised goes towards Tetbury in Bloom projects, which benefit the whole town.

 

December 2010

Tetbury In Bloom – A Look Back at The Past Year

 

2010 has been an extremely exciting year for the Tetbury in Bloom team, and a busy one. 

We formally launched our 2010 campaign at a Wine Tasting evening back in April, hosted by Jackie Wheels of the Oxford Wine Company. Thank you to Jackie for such a wonderful evening – a light hearted start, belying all the hard work to come.  We wish Jackie every success with her new shop on The Chipping.  Also, a big thank you to Tetbury Tailor for the “goodie bags”, which were hugely popular (particularly with the men in the audience), and which helped to raise valuable funds through the raffle. 

Back in April, with the kind permission of the Dolphins Hall Committee and in conjunction with the Saint Mary’s Garden Club pupils, we planted a mix of native saplings on the Recreation Ground.  The silver birch had been grown from seed by Phoebe Ind.  Thank you, also, to the Lions for the provision of the rabbit guards which should ensure that the trees thrive and give pleasure to many generations to come. 

We held our first Open Garden Day back in June.  The day was so successful, with about 150 visitors to the five gardens, that we hope that it will become an annual event.  A big thank you to Margaret Gibbs, Frances Lay, Sue and Jeremy Townsend, and Ange Morrissey for sharing their gardens with us.   

In June we also judged the local Painting Competition at Saint Mary’s Primary School, selecting Emilia Thomas’ design to become this year’s mural.  The standard of entries was so very high.  We are also delighted to see last year’s mural, created by Leomi Potter, brightening up the entrance to the school.   

The annual local garden competition was held during the weekend of 3^rd and 4^th July.   We were delighted to have the Town Clerk (Sue Bailey), the Mayor (Caroline Morgan) and Tetbury in Bloom’s own Sue Hirst and Ange Morrissey as our judges. 

The Shop Window Display competition was timed to coincide with judging of the town in the Heart of England campaign on 22^nd July.  This year we had a record 23 entries, giving the town a celebratory feel and clearly demonstrating support for Tetbury in Bloom. 

On judging day we filled the Market Hall to capacity - another demonstration of the huge levels of support we receive from across the community: from the primary school children, Guides and Scouts, to the residents of Abbey Field; from the leaders of the many clubs and societies, to Kathryn Limoi of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry; from many private individuals to Tetbury Town Councillors and traders. 

We were stunned and delighted to be awarded a third consecutive first prize for our scarecrow (Recycled Ron) in at the Tetbury Flower Show, narrowly beating the Lions  - come on all you clubs and societies out there we’d like to see more entries next year; it’s a bit of fun and every penny raised goes to local good causes. 

At the Heart of England awards ceremony, held on 16^th September at Newcastle-Under-Lyme, we learned the wonderful news that we were officially the best of all the entrants from across the region.   

Unsurprisingly, a good time was had by all at the Prize Giving Evening the next evening.

Team members Sue and Stephen Hirst, and Mel and Ian Maslin have been delighted to get involved in the newly formed Christmas in Tetbury Team.  The Christmas trees, lights and shop window displays should help to make the town look extra special this festive season.  

Our hard work, planning and fund raising continues.  Tickets are still available for the “Britain in  Bloom Gold Cup Race Night” fund raising event, now scheduled for 26^th February.  Please contact Sue Hirst on 504213 to reserve your tickets. 

Throughout the year we have received lots of kind messages of encouragement.  Back in July, out of the blue, we received an email from the nursery supervisor at Gosport Council, who had been passing through the town and was so impressed with our flowerbeds (which she described as “a joy to see”) that she requested details of our planting schemes.  We have also been working with Kingswood residents to help them create “the look”.  Remember, you saw it all here first!

All this would not have been possible without the support, financial and “in kind”, from so many, amongst them:  Tetbury Town Council, Tetbury Upton Parish Council, the Jack Lane Charitable Trust, the Parochial Church Council, The Feoffees, the Lions, the Civic Society, the Rotary Club of the South Cotswolds, the Women’s Institute, the Chamber of Commerce, the Co-operative, IHS Energy, Jesse Smiths, Perry, Bishop and Chambers, PSB Country Supplies, Pucklechurch Developments, Tetbury Audi, Tetbury Tailor, the Tetbury Pot and the Tetbury Skittles League.   Thank you.  (For a full list of sponsors and full details of our work, please visit our website www.tetburyinbloom.org.uk ) 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Tetbury in Bloom team.  

 

November 2010

Tetbury in Bloom – Best of the Best

We have been overwhelmed by so many kind messages that you will no doubt have heard by now that Tetbury swept a host of awards in the Heart of England in Bloom competition. 

For those of you who haven’t heard, we won our fifth consecutive Gold award and, for the third time, we were judged Category Winner in the Small Town section.  Also, we won a judges discretionary award - the Subaru Community Achievement Award - were nominated to represent the region in the prestigious Britain in Bloom campaign next year and were judged to be the Overall Winner (and best of the best) of the 47 entries from across the region!

This is a remarkable achievement and is a testament to the hard work of so many. 

On your behalf I would like to publicly thank the team: Sue and Stephen Hirst, Ange and Pete Morrissey, Mel and Ian Maslin, Doreen and Eric Simpson, Mike Kniveton, Frances Collinson, Kirsty Taylor, Janet Hedley, Emma Thomas, Ken White and my husband Kevin.  Also a big “thank you” to everyone who helped and supported us. 

The judges (senior judge Les Goodman and David Wassell MBE) and Boyd Douglas-Davies of Webbs Garden Centres Ltd (representing the main sponsor) were particularly impressed by:

The rousing welcome from Derek Jackson, the Town Crier, the Tetbury in Bloom team and town dignitaries

The colourful roadside planting and, in particular, the stunning Star Roundabout

The floral displays throughout the town centre and in the shop windows

The permanent planting in Saint Mary’s Churchyard 

The beautiful mural and the strong working relationship we have with the pupils and teachers of Saint Mary’s Primary School and other youth groups

The levels of grass maintenance – well done and thank you to the Town Council grounds maintenance staff

The displays of hanging baskets on the Market Hall, Snooty Fox, Jesse Smiths and the Council Offices

The private gardens of Cookspool and the enthusiasm of its residents

The impressive levels of recycling – keep it up!

The obvious pride Tetbury has in its local heritage

The newly created paved area at the entrance to the Market Hall and the majestic planters, installed and paid for by the Feoffees

The overall levels of cleanliness – thanks to the band of people who helped us sweep and weed the whole judging route: Derek Bloxham , Di Bryan, Peter Fisher, Barry and Christine Gibbs, Roz Goodwin and her Mum, Terry and Elvia Guyler, Jean Henderson,  Pat Horton, Louise Marriage,  Pete and Theo Martin, Basil Mason-Smith, Lisa, Heidi and Wil Mustoe, Ron Poppleton, Alistair Taylor, David Thompson, Ken White and members of the First and Second Tetbury Guides, The Tetbury Cubs and Scouts 

And, of course, the impressive levels of community involvement, so clearly evidenced at the exhibition afterwards, which the judges said were “outstanding” and couldn’t be bettered.

And, the word “outstanding” just sums up Summer 2010 up for me.

This is the last year that either judge will be involved in the Heart of England competition.  It is therefore the end of an era.  Les Goodman has been visiting Tetbury for over a decade; he has seen many changes, both in the way we plant and manage the flowerbeds and in the levels of awareness of the competition itself and the support we receive.  Both have fond memories of the town.  The “in Bloom” team wishes them every happiness in their retirement. 

To raise funds for the 2011 campaign we are organising a Race Night, “The Britain in Bloom Gold Cup”, for the evening of Saturday 12th February. Admission price £5 per adult.  To order tickets please contact Sue Hirst on 01666 504213. 

In subsequent articles I will be seeking your support in other ways if we are to do equally as well in Britain in Bloom.... For now, let us all take time to reflect on, and enjoy, our successes. Once again, well done to you all.

 

October 2010

Local Competition Winners

At the time of writing this article (early September) we have yet to learn the outcome of the Heart of England in Bloom competition.  I am, however, delighted to be able to announce the winners of our own annual local garden competition and the children’s painting competition.

Commercial Container Planting: Abbeyfield (Gold); Artique (Silver Gilt), Bonhams (Silver); Hortensia (Bronze); Jesse Smiths Butcher (Gold); Skeins (Silver); Tetbury Town Council (Silver Gilt); The Close Hotel (Silver Gilt); The Feoffees (Gold and Category Winner); The Snooty Fox (Gold)

Commercial Garden: Hortensia (Silver Gilt and Category Winner); Peter Hervé House (Silver) and The Close Hotel (Silver)

Shop Window Display: Anne Fowler (Silver Gilt); Ark Angel (Gold); Artique (Gold); Bella Blue (Silver); Bonhams (Silver Gilt); Cotswold Care Hospice (Silver); Creative Hairdressing (Gold); Direct Import (Silver); George Veterinary Group (Silver); Henrietta’s House (Silver Gilt); Highgrove (Silver Gilt); Jenny Norden (Silver); Kitchenmonger (Gold); Overider (Gold); Philip Adler (Gold and Category Winner); Qetty Bang Bang (Silver Gilt); Scentiments (Gold); Skeins (Silver); Strickland and Daughters (Silver); Tenovus (Silver); Tetbury Tailor (Silver); Two Toads (Bronze) and Yellow-Lighted Bookshop (Bronze)

Newly Created Garden: Terri White, Newleaze Gardens (Gold and Category Winner)

Private Rear Garden: Mrs Margaret Gibbs, Newleaze Gardens (Gold and Category Winner); Doreen Hampson, Chavenage Lane (Silver); Pat Horton, Northfield Close (Silver Gilt); Mrs Diana Melville, Romney Road  (Silver); Jo Penfold, Long Street (Silver); Mrs Gerda Smith, Close Gardens (Gold); Sue and Jeremy Townsend, Cutwell (Gold); Lance Vick, Northfield Avenue (Silver Gilt) and Terri White, Newleaze Gardens (Silver)

Private Front Garden: Lesley Brain, The Green (Silver Gilt); Pat Horton, Northfield Close (Silver Gilt); Jeanne McKenzie, Quail Meadows (Gold and Category Winner); Linda McWee, Cookspool (Silver Gilt); Mrs Diana Melville, Romney Road (Bronze)  and Mrs Gerda Smith, Close Gardens (Silver)

Private Container Planting:  Ali Bristow, Long Street (Silver Gilt); Roy Browning, Charlton Road (Gold); Doreen Hampson, Chavenage Lane (Silver); Pat Horton, Northfield Close (Silver); Mrs Diana Melville, Romney Road (Bronze);  Jo Penfold, Long Street (Gold and Category Winner); Mrs E Smith, Chavenage Lane (Silver Gilt); Mrs Gerda Smith, Close Gardens (Silver Gilt); David Tanner, Chavenage Lane (Gold); Lance Vick, Northfield Avenue (Gold) and Teri White, Newleaze Gardens (Silver)

Wildlife Friendly Garden: Mr and Mrs Barry Gibbs, Chavenage Lane (Gold and Category Winner); Pat Horton, Northfield Close (Silver); Mrs Diana Melville, Romney Road  (Silver); Hortense Oates, Market Place (Silver); Jo Penfold, Long Street (Silver Gilt) and Jayne West of Peter Hervé House (Silver Gilt)

The theme of this year’s children’s painting competition was “The Seasons” and, as usual, the pupils of Saint Mary’s Primary School amazed us with their imagination, skill and creativity.  The winners were:

Lower School (Infants): 1^st Evie Iles; 2^nd Georgia Smith and 3^rd Theo James;

Commended: Jacob Scotford and Jamie Adiyaman

Upper School (Juniors): 1st Catherine Jablonski; 2nd Chloe Lewis and 3rd Aaron Hardiman; Commended: Charlotte Rushton, Thomas Bevan, Paige Marshall and Tom Bloomfield

You may have seen many of some of the pictures around town, advertising this year’s judging, or at art exhibition run by the Feoffees back in the summer.

We also submitted a selection of paintings (including those of our prize winners) into the regional Heart of England in Bloom competition and, this year had a number of successes.  Catherine Jablonski came third in her age group.  Aaron Hardiman came second in his age group and Charlotte Rushton was judged an impressive first.

You can’t have failed to have seen the painting, designed by Emilia Thomas, which she, Miss Thompson and fellow pupils from Saint Mary’s turned into a spectacular mural, and which we used to screen the vacant industrial unit along London Road.

Again the standard across all the competitions was very high this year.  I would not have liked to have judged between them.  A very well done to everyone who entered and thank you for supporting Tetbury in Bloom.  I hope that you enjoyed the prize giving evening, held on 17^th September.

September 2010

Feedback

Judging of this year’s Heart of England in Bloom competition, on 22^nd July, feels like a long time ago.  Whilst our work is about more than just one day’s judging, it does focus our efforts, giving us something to aim for and an excuse to celebrate our achievements.  Most importantly, we hope that you like the results.   

The Heart of England in Bloom judges (senior judge Les Goodman and David Wassell), accompanied by Boyd Douglas-Davies of Webbs Garden Centres Ltd, were very impressed and highly complementary.  Indeed Boyd said that the flowerbeds on the roundabout “blew his socks off”!

Well done and thank you to everyone involved.  We could not do it all without our many supporters, amongst them:

The Council garden staff.

The many volunteers who came out, rain and shine, to help with planting, weeding, deadheading, litter picks and even sweeping the streets.

The many more that tidied up their gardens and cut their hedges.

The residents of Cookspool for sprucing up their corner of town and Princess, Linda and Monica for showing the judges around.

Mike Kniveton for almost single handedly keeping the London Road flower beds going during the hot dry spell, watering them daily.

Stephen Hirst for getting up at 6:45am, six days a week, to help water the hanging baskets and for going out again each evening to water the many flower beds.  Also, Pete Morrissey for assisting him.

The couple who live next door, for watering and caring for the flowerbeds at The Dolphins Hall. 

John Hughes, of Chipping Steps, for maintaining the verge at the bottom of the Steps, and the residents who care for the tubs.

The couple who live next to Anniversary gardens for allowing us to use their hose.

Colin Clark for watering the flowerbeds at the Fire Station.

Emma Thomas for watering all the flower beds in Saint Mary’s Churchyard. 

Derek Jackson, the Town Crier, for such a rousing welcome which, literally, stopped traffic. 

Tetbury Audi for loaning us the car to take the judges around the town and Dave Hicks for driving us.

Paul Grimes of Wotton Farm Shop, Tim Cordall from the Market Hall stall, Sanday’s Nursery at Almondsbury, Landcare Nurseries at Chipping Sodbury, Nurden’s at Malmesbury and Ollie Spenser from Close Nursery for supplying the plants and associated materials. 

Emilia Thomas, Miss Thompson, Mr Etherington and the pupils of Saint Mary’s Primary School for designing and painting the mural, which brightened up the entrance to the vacant industrial unit.    

Builders Ede for supplying the boards and allowing us to display them.

John Latter for the transport.

The many town traders who dressed their window displays so imaginatively, giving the town a celebratory feel.  We were overwhelmed by the levels of support. 

The Feoffees for the majestic planters which so proudly display our name, and, of course, for the use of the Market Hall.

The Camera Club for the loan of the display boards and the overhead projector for the presentation to the judges.

My husband, Kevin, for another beautiful display of photos, and Clark and Maslin Architects (Malmesbury) for printing some of the pictures.

The WI for such a welcome cup of tea and Stephen Hirst for the delicious cake.

The welcoming dignitaries and, of course, to everyone who visited the Exhibition, demonstrating to the judges, so clearly, the level of community support.

The drought and then the wind and heavy rains made it especially hard work this year.  Whether or not our efforts were enough to retain our title of “category winner” and therefore best small town in the Heart of England, we have to wait until 16^th September to hear. 

Our thanks also go to Tetbury Skittles League, Pucklechurch Development Company Limited, the Tetbury Pot, Perry Bishop and Chambers Ltd, and John Newmanfor their donations, without which we could not continue our work. 

It has been a busy summer in many other ways.

The Open Gardens Day, held on the 27^th June, was an enormous success.  Despite clashing with the England versus Germany World Cup football match, we had over 140 visitors, raising nearly £600 for our funds.  Our sincerest thanks go to those people who opened their gardens to the public: Margaret Gibbs, Frances Lay, Sue and Jeremy Townsend, and Ange Morrissey.  Also, a big thank you to my Mum, Rachel O’Brien, for the wonderful homemade cakes.  Some of you have expressed an interest regarding making this an annual event – we will be in touch once this year’s is over. 

Judging of the local garden competition took place over the weekend of the 3^rd and 4^th July; another hot weekend without much rain to assist the gardeners.  Again the standard was very high this year; well done to everyone who entered.   You should have been informed, by post, of your award and I will publish the results, including the category winners, after the Prize Giving evening on 17^th September.  Thanks to Madam Mayor (Caroline Morgan) and the new Town Clerk (Sue Bailey) for giving up part of their weekend to assist with judging. 

I am delighted to report that the Morrissey’s (amongst others) took our window sticker “competition” to heart; their family and friends have sent us some wonderful photos of the Tetbury in Bloom logo in unusual and far flung places.  Thank you to Mike and Fon Morrissey for the photos of Perth, Fremantle, Adelaide and Melbourne (Australia) and Helen and Rob Morphew for their photos from New Zealand. (Can you do better?)   If you have any interesting photographs related to the work of Tetbury in Bloom, do send them to me at efarnham@btconnect.com, I would enjoy seeing them. 

July 2010

Heart of England In Bloom Judging

It is that time of year again when we, and our band of helpers, are busy titivating the town ahead of judging day on the afternoon of Thursday 22^ndJuly.  We are aiming for a fifth gold medal in the Heart of England in Bloom competition; we cannot achieve this without your continued support. 

Last year the judges were particularly impressed with the overall levels of cleanliness and this year we hope to impress them further and to return to the national Britain in Bloom competition in 2011. 

The judging will commence at 2pm with a rousing welcome from the Town Crier, Derek Jackson; an opportunity to meet the Tetbury in Bloom team, the Council outside work force (with whom we work closely) and town dignitaries; followed by a short presentation, highlighting our year round work and those initiatives we will not have time to show the judges in person.  The tour itself will commence at 2:15pm and include:

· The glorious hanging baskets and the floral displays on Long Street. 

· The flowerbeds along London Road: at the roundabout, Braybrooke Close, Tesco’s and the Priory Industrial Estate.

· The front gardens of Cookspool.

· The mural, designed and painted by the pupils of Saint Mary’s, screening the entrance to the vacant Matbro site – thank you again to Builders Ede for supplying the boards and for giving us permission to display them.

· The flowerbeds at Old Coombe House, the fire station and the Knapp.

· The new wildflower planting along the verges of Cutwell.

· The trees on West Street and Brewery Lane car parks, the wildflower bank, and the award winning flowerbeds outside the public conveniences. At this point we will pause for a brief ceremony during which we will ask the judges to plant a silver birch tree to mark the occasion.

· The beautiful Saint Mary’s churchyard project.

· The Princess Diana Memorial Flowerbed and The Green – a particular favourite with the judges.

· The stunning floral and window displays at Artique, Creative Hairdressing, Hortensia, the Snooty Fox and the Market Hall.

· The Chipping Steps.

Finally, we will return to the Market Hall to meet our supporters and sponsors, to view an exhibition of photographs and to partake of refreshments, which will be served by the Women’s Institute. We look forward to seeing you there – everyone is welcome.

The “in Bloom” competition is about so much more than just flowers and floral displays.  We will be judged on horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and also community involvement.  Every garden will be assessed and every weed and every piece of litter will result in valuable marks lost. If you live along the judging route, we would be grateful if you could please check in front of your house on judging day and remove any litter or weeds that may be outside and hide unsightly wheelie bins and recycling boxes from view. It really will make a difference.  Thank you.

We have been out preparing the judging route since the beginning of June but it never ceases to surprise and saddens me the amount of dog fouling around the town and the number of used dog waste sacks that we find, particularly in the bushes and verges along London Road.  I appreciate that most dog walkers are responsible and dispose of the waste bags in the appropriate bins but for those that don’t, do remember these bags do not bio degrade.  The Town Council provides dedicated waste bins and bags, please use and dispose of them appropriately. 

Finally, I am delighted to report that we have received a grant of £600 from the Co-Operative Membership Community Fund, which helps local communities throughout the UK. 

Once again, thank you for your continued support and wish us luck!

Alliums and Tulips in the Princess Diana Memorial Bed

June 2010

Judging of the Local Garden Competition – July 2010

Our annual garden competition will soon be upon us.  It provides an excellent opportunity for garden lovers to showcase their garden.  So why not give it a go and enter?  As usual, there are nine different categories – and so I hope that there is something for everyone.

To apply, simply complete and return the attached entry form; it is as easy as that. 

The deadline for the receipt of entries is Monday 28^th June 2010 so that we can plan the itinerary.  Entry is free and judging will take place during the weekend of 3^rd and 4^th July.  A welcome respite from the FIFA World Cup, perhaps!  Judging of the shop window displays will take place in July, to coincide with the visit by the Heart of England campaign judges. 

This year the competition will be judged by our very own Sue Hirst (Tetbury in Bloom Team Leader) and team members, and previous category winners, Ange Morrissey and Ian Maslin.  They will be assessing: visual impact, use of colour and the variety of plants, general tidiness, well cared for lawns with neat edges, the absence of weeds, environmentally responsible garden practices (such as composting facilities and water butts) and overall imagination. For more details of the judging criteria visit the “Local Competition” page on our website: www.tetburyinbloom.org.uk .

Other dates for your diary include:

Our first open garden day on Sunday 27^th June from 1pm to 5pm. 

Five gardens will be open to the public: Bramble Cottage on West Street, 2 Cutwell, The Piece (Cutwell), 17 Newleaze Gardens and The Stables, Barton Abbots, The Green.  An entrance fee of £3 will permit entry to all gardens and all profits will go to Tetbury in Bloom projects.  Light refreshments will be available.  Parking will be available in the West Street car park.  Signs will be erected to point the way.   

Heart of England in Bloom judging is tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of Thursday 22^nd July. 

Prize giving evening at the Dolphins Hall on Friday 17^th September.     

And working parties are now out and about on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and evenings from 7:30pm.  Should you wish to join us, please contact Sue Hirst on 504213, or visit our website under “Latest News” to find out where we will be working.

Next month details of the Heart of England judging.  Until then ... “happy gardening”. 

May 2010

Wildflowers

As I mentioned last month, our major project for this year will be to introduce more wildflowers to the town. 

This isn’t easy to achieve.  Good ground preparation is essential. The secret is a low fertility soil.  (A fertile soil will just cause vigorous growth of grasses and “weeds”'.)  To reduce fertility we will have to remove the topsoil and then lightly rake the soil to produce a seed bed. Only then can we sow the wildflower seed mix.  But I am sure that all our hard work will be worthwhile.

The RHS Britain in Bloom competition recognises the importance of wildflowers as a valuable habitat for wildlife.  For many years Les Goodman (senior judge with the Heart of England in Bloom campaign) has recommended a wildflower meadow as an area for improvement.  Our dilemma has been just where to put one.  In my opinion poppies look wonderful in a field, alongside country roads and, oddly enough, a mix of native wildflowers and garden plants has been used to great effect among the urban landscape, in such cities as Sheffield.  We want to create a wildflower effect close to the town centre and the “in Bloom” judging route, to minimise effort around judging time and to create a beautiful display, which looks well cared for but not neglected.  With the support of its residents, we have therefore selected the verges of Cutwell (on the north side of the ford) for our wildflower “meadow-effect”. 

2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations (www.biodiversityislife.net) – this is a term used to describe the rich myriad of plants, animal species and their habitats.

In response, this year the Royal Horticultural Society chose the theme of the In Bloom launch event (back in March) as “mass greening”.  Their aim is to create “a river of green across the UK” by developing a series of wildlife “corridors” between parks and larger green spaces.  I hope that you will agree that our plans to gradually introduce more wildflowers to the verges of Cutwell, the bank at the back of the West Street car park and parts of Saint Mary’s churchyard fit nicely with this aim. 

The wildflower area which we planted in Saint Mary’s churchyard last year should be maturing nicely.  It includes such varieties as: bird’s-foot trefoil, the most important larval food plant of the Common Blue butterfly larva and a valuable source of nectar and pollen for bees; English bluebells; field scabious, which should attract numerous insects; meadow crane’s-bill, favoured by various species of bumblebee and, a particular favourite of mine, the humble primrose which is one of the first plants to come in to bloom.  The judges were particularly impressed by the accompanying display boards calling them “exceptional” and “simple yet effective”.  With the funding we have received from IHS energy we should be able to introduce more.

A big thank you to the following for their donations, without whom we could not continue our work: Tetbury Town Council, The Jack Lane Trust, PSB(Country Supplies Ltd) of Hampton Street Industrial Estate, the Chamber of Commerce, the Parochial Church Council and many kind individuals. (You know who you are.) For a full list of our sponsors, and much more, visit our website at www.tetburyinbloom.org.uk .

The Wine Tasting evening and Launch Event, held on 9th April, was a great success.  Everyone had a good time, tasted something new and, hopefully, learned some interesting facts.  Thank you to Jackie Wheels of the Oxford Wine Company for hosting the event and for donating the wine for auction. Thank you also to Tetbury Tailor for the gift of “goodie bags”, which were popular with the men.  And thank you to everyone who attended.  The evening raised vital funds towards this year’s campaign.

We are now selling car (or window) stickers so that you too can show your support for Tetbury in Bloom.  We are also inviting you to send us photographs of the stickers in unusual and far away locations as a bit of fun, to be publicised on our website!  Stickers only cost 50p and are available from Sue Hirst on 504213 or from our stall at Woolsack Day.  Photos should be emailed to daisy@tetburyinbloom.org.uk. 

Finally, we are still seeking residents to join us in a Tetbury Open Gardens weekend.  If you are interested, we would be delighted to hear from you – please contact Ange Morrissey on 505723 and she can tell you more. 

 

April 2010

Our Plans for 2010

I am delighted to be able to confirm that we will be entering the regional Heart of England in Bloom competition again this summer, to defend our title of best Small Town and category winner, and with a view to convincing the judges to nominate us for the national Britain in Bloom finals next year. 

This is an ambitious plan and is, of course, subject to us securing the necessary funding and support to continue our work.  We are very grateful to the Feoffees, the Lions, the Rotary Club of the South Cotswolds, IHS Energy, Tetbury Upton Parish Council and Tetbury Chamber of Commerce, with whose ongoing support we have so far raised a further £2,350 towards our target of the £5,000 needed for this year’s campaign. (This includes £500 towards more wildflowers for the town; this will be our major project for 2010.) Thank you to everyone concerned for their generosity.  For a full list of our sponsors visit our website at www.tetburyinbloom.org.uk

Sue Hirst and I have commenced a series of talks to local societies, to publicise our work.  If you would like us to come and talk to your society we would be delighted to do so; please contact Sue on 504213 to discuss the arrangements. 

We still have a few hanging baskets to sell.  This year, in addition to the ivy-leaf geraniums, they will include trailing begonias (which have proved so effective and eye-catching around the Market Hall and Snooty Fox in recent years), small-flowered “Decora” geraniums, bidens and lysimachia.  Hanging baskets cost £25 each.  To reserve your hanging basket, please complete the attached application form, contact Sue Hirst on 504213, or email her at slee@tecres.net.

We still have copies of the “Local Roots” pamphlet for sale.  It is available at a cost of £1, from the Tourist Information Centre.  It takes you on a walk around the centre of Tetbury, describing the many floral displays and historic sites of interest along the way.  All proceeds go towards Tetbury in Bloom projects. 

We are planning, together with the Women’s Institute if possible, to hold a garden open day to show off some of Tetbury’s stunning gardens and to publicise our work – details to follow. 

We will, of course, be supporting the Woolsack Day races, by holding a plant stall in the town.  Do come along to say hello. 

We will be holding our annual local gardening competition in during the weekend of 3^rd and 4^th July – there will be more details, together with an application form, in the June Advertiser article.  Please make a note of the date in your dairies.

And, of course, we will be holding an exhibition to coincide with judging day.  This has proved extremely successful in recent years at demonstrating the wonderful levels of support we have received.  Indeed we were nominated for a special Community award in the 2009 RHS Britain in Bloom competition, narrowly missing out to Earsden in Northumbria.    

The day time team is already out and about on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and the evening work parties will commence on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7.30pm from 1^st June, planting the summer bedding, weeding and sweeping the streets.  If you are interested in joining in, please do let us know.  You don’t have to turn up every week.  We would be delighted to see you whenever you can spare the time.  The more the merrier. 

 

March 2010

Thoughts of Spring and Beyond

Spring is on its way and I look forward to the first of many stunning floral displays.

The snowdrops and cyclamen, planted under the plum trees in Saint Mary’s churchyard last year, should create a wonderful display from February through March; this will improve year on year as the plants mature and spread.  (The inspiration was the gardens of Colesbourne Park, famous for its snowdrop collection, interspersed with other spring flowers for added impact.)  The daffodils, rescued from the entrance to the churchyard, should appear in March, followed by the primroses and tulips in April and May, and then the bluebells.  The summer wildflowers, planted among the gravestones, should also make for a more dramatic display this year. 

Saint Mary’s churchyard was our major project for 2009 and I am excited to see how it is maturing.  I am particularly looking forward to seeing the many and varied tulips, which have been added to the formal flowerbeds for the first time. 

As you can imagine, lots of thought goes in to choosing plants for their dramatic colour combinations, height and flowering times and we have something special planned.  This includes the following varieties of tulips: Bestseller (orange), Apeldoorn (orangey scarlet), Couleur Cardinal (deep crimson), Aafke (lilac) and Sjakamaro (purple).   Some, such as Albi (violet) and Happy Family (pink), are multi-headed; having up to four flower heads per stem, they provide added impact.

In addition to creating a beautiful display, the flowers (both native and garden varieties) provide an important source of nectar for many insects.  We have also installed bird and insect boxes, to create a wildlife haven. 

Did you know that 2010 is the United Nations’ Year for Biodiversity?  The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) will be holding a range of projects and events throughout the year.  “Plants for Bugs”, a project already underway at the RHS Garden Wisley, aims to help gardeners chose more wildlife-friendly plants.  Gardens provide areas rich in a wide range of plants, insects, birds and small mammals.  I think that Tetbury in Bloom is already doing its bit but, of course, there is always room for improvement.  More about our plans for this year in my next article.

We are now taking orders for summer hanging baskets.  This year, for added impact, we will be using showy, trailing begonias complemented by small-flowered “Decora” geraniums, bidens and lysimachia.  These will match the flower displays in the mangers and troughs and will carry the Tetbury colour theme of reds, apricots, pinks and yellows throughout the town.  The hanging baskets cost £25 each and will be available from the end of May.  To reserve your hanging basket, call Sue Hirst on 504213, or email her on slee@tecres.net. (Please note that the small profit we make will provide vital funds to help us keeping the town looking its very best.) 

Thank you to Tetbury Tailor of their donation of £50. 

We will launch our 2010 campaign at a wine tasting evening, hosted by Jackie Wheels (formerly Bona Wines, now with The Oxford Wine Company) on 9^th April.  Tickets will £8.50 each – contact Sue early to avoid disappointment. 

Finally, we are considering holding an Open Gardens day to publicise our work and to raise much needed funds.  If you would be interested in opening your garden to the public in support, we would be delighted to hear from you – again please contact Sue on 504213.

 

February 2010

 

The Year Ahead

At this time of year our thoughts turn to the season ahead: planting schemes, work schedules and funding. 

The Tetbury in Bloom team is proud of its use of sustainable mixed planting schemes, which not only keeps our costs down (because plants are used year on year) but also provides us with all year round interest.  Indeed, we narrowly missed out on a special award in the 2009 RHS Britain in Bloom competition for Permanent Landscaping.  Also our Chairman, Sue Hirst, was asked to speak at the autumn Heart of England in Bloom seminar on our unique style of planting.

We use a combination of shrubs, chosen for their colourful foliage, and long flowering perennials to provide structure.   These include: phormium, red berberis, choisya, heuchera, various grasses and penstemons.  We then infill the gaps with seasonal bedding, to add a splash of extra colour.  Chosen for their drought tolerance, we typically use a mix of geraniums and begonias, interspersed with mixed antirrhinums and taller marguerites.  To complete “the look” the striking Kniphofia “Tetbury Torch” provides added interest. 

We like to think of it as gardening but on a grander scale, a far cry from traditional municipal bedding schemes.    

Tetbury in Bloom is financed solely by donations and we estimate that we need a minimum of £5,000 this year to put on another good show.  This will pay for new plants, seasonal bedding, spring bulbs, hanging baskets, replacement tubs and containers, compost, fertiliser, etc. 

We have already begun fund raising.  We have plans to hold another wine tasting evening later in the year.  Also a very big “thank you” to the Civic Society, who raised an impressive £286 for us at their quiz and fish and chip supper on 20^th November.  

If you can help us financially, or are a business that would like to sponsor us, do let us know.  For those of you who have already asked, please make cheques payable to “Tetbury in Bloom”; they can be delivered to me at 2 Cutwell or via the Town Council Offices.  Every penny goes towards Tetbury in Bloom projects and every penny counts.  Our time is given free and so there is no administration charge. 

Alternatively, if you wish to join one of the working parties, we would be delighted to hear from you.  Please contact Sue Hirst on 504213.  Members of the team can be seen out and about once a week at this time of year, weather permitting.  What better way to keep that New Year’s resolution to get fit, to give something back to the Community or to make new friends?

 

December 2009

 

Reflections

 

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year from the Tetbury in Bloom committee.

Despite our many successes this year, as all gardeners know, the hard work continues.  As I write this article, Tetbury in Bloom teams are out planting more bulbs to ensure that we maximise the flowering season next year.  In the depths of winter I look forward to the amazing spring floral displays. 

What an exciting year it has been.  Looking back, there are so many memories of 2009 to choose from.  My main recollections centre around the amazing levels of support we received:

· Planting snowdrops and wildflowers in Saint Mary’s with the support and  assistance of the Parochial Church Council and the parishioners, thus revitalising the churchyard and creating a haven for both wildlife and visitors to enjoy.

· Muck spreading in the rain, with the assistance of the Council grounds men and a large donation of manure from Roy Eastlake.

· Spring bulb planting with the residents of Chavenage Lane, who bought over 300 daffodil bulbs to brighten up their verges.

· The Owl evening, hosted jointly with the Gloucestershire Barn Owl Trust, which filled the hall at Saint Mary’s school.   

· The stunning mural, designed by Leomi Potter and painted by the pupils of Saint Mary’s Primary School.  (My driveway still bears traces of paint where the finishing touches were applied!)  Thanks also to Builders Ede Ltd for supplying the boards and for allowing us to use their property to display it so prominently.

· Painting the town black, with 25 litres of Hammerite paint, donated by Jewsons and ICI, and with the support of the Community Payback team and The Lions.  

· The hard work of the girl guides and scouts, who helped us with litter picking in and around Chipping Steps, Eccles Court and Anniversary Gardens. 

· So many stunning hanging baskets, the beautiful shop windows adorning the town centre – many more than in previous years – and the flowerpots displayed throughout the summer along West Street, giving the town a celebratory feel. 

· The support of Wotton Farm, Close Nurseries, Landcare, Sanday’s and Tim Cordal who supplied us with the plants and Wildlife World for donating the insect boxes for the churchyard.  

· The donation of funds from The Feoffees, Tetbury Town Council, Tetbury Upton Parish Council, IHS Energy, The Lions, The Ladies Lions, the Rotary Club of the South Cotswolds, Saint Mary’s Parochial Church Council, the Civic Society, the Women’s Institute, Tetbury Flower Show, Jessie Smith Butchers, Tesco and many individuals.  Thank you to everyone for your generosity and support, particularly given the tight financial pressure that everyone is suffering. 

· Tetbury Audi and Dave Hicks for chauffeuring us around the town on judging day and on the many dry runs beforehand! 

· Together with the judges, being welcomed back to the Market Hall by Derek Jackson (the Town Crier) and so many town dignitaries and supporters.  Also enjoying the cream teas (the scones for which were kindly donated by Number 65), and the refreshments served so expertly by the WI.

· Attracting more regular helpers to the Tetbury in Bloom team, in particular: Frances Collinson, Emma Thomas and Janet Hedley.  Also those who, come rain or shine, assisted us in preparing the judging route: David Thompson, Ken White, Basil and Judi Mason-Smith,  Roger Gibson, Barry and Christine Gibbs, Cllr Ali Baxter and Lou Baxter Roseblade,  Pat Horton, John Latter, Lisa, Wil and Heidi Mustoe, Jean Henderson, Peter Martin, Jo Brown, Imogen  and Theo, Di Bryan, Derek Bloxham, Robin Levin, Terry and Elvia Guyler and everyone else who helped by cutting their grass and hedges, painting their fences and making Tetbury look its very best.

· An enjoyable evening with Jackie from Bona Wines, officially launching our 2009 campaign. 

· The tension at the Britain in Bloom awards ceremony in Torquay, as we waited to hear the results, and the wonderful turn out at our own Prize Giving evening. 

· The stunning shop window display put on by Creative Hairdressing to showcase our recent successes.

· The kind words and the letters of support received and overhearing comments from visitors commenting on how beautiful the town looked. 

· Finally, enjoying chips (kindly provided by the Mayor, Stephen Hirst) one evening with some of the helpers, sheltering from the rain.  They tasted particularly good after an evening’s hard work deadheading and sweeping the streets and were well earned.  We certainly know how to enjoy ourselves!

Thank you once again to you all for your support.

 

November 2009

Britain in Bloom Results Announced

 

You will no doubt have heard by now that Tetbury won a well deserved Silver Gilt in the Britain in Bloom campaign, narrowly missing out on a Gold.  Also we were nominated for two Discretionary awards for the highest achievers.  This is an enormous achievement for a first time entrant such as ourselves.  (The judges went as far as saying that this was “unprecedented” and “mind-blowing”.)  We are naturally delighted with this result.  You must remember that we were judged by the RHS-qualified judges, to Chelsea standards.

A big “thank you” from the Committee to everyone involved. 

The results were announced at the Britain in Bloom awards ceremony on 23^rd September, at the Riviera Conference Centre in Torquay.  I had never been to anything like it before.  There were over 400 representatives from all 18 regions and nations of the UK.  There were 67 entries in total.  The ceremony lasted over 5 hours!

The next morning, we attended a 15 minute seminar with the judges (RHS Chairman of the Judging Panel, Roger Burnett, and his colleague Andrew Jackson) to receive more detailed feedback on our entry.  They said that Tetbury was a pleasure to visit and judge.  They were particularly impressed with:

· Our flowerbeds and the imaginative use of sustainable planting throughout the town, complemented with some summer bedding.  The good range of plant materials, with excellent colour co-ordination which was an example of best-practice that other towns could follow.  They used words such as “inspirational”.  Indeed Tetbury was nominated for a special Discretionary award for Permanent Planting and it was muted that the RHS may ask us to speak at next year’s Finalists seminar!

· The overall level of community participation which represented all ages and sectors of the community; this was “unequalled” and, again, “an example that others should follow”.  Well done and thank you to you all.  Again, we were nominated for the Community Award, which  went to Earsdon, the overall Champion of Champions 2009.

· The wildflower areas, in particular the Churchyard, and the interpretation boards.

· The hanging basket displays around the Market Hall.

· The impressive levels of recycling.

· The tour itself and the accompanying welcoming presentation and portfolio which whet their appetite.

The suggested areas for improvement were minor.  These were:

· The inclusion of more residential front gardens and the opportunity to witness, first-hand, our local garden competition;

· The introduction of self-watering hanging baskets to reduce the dependence on regular watering. 

· Displaying a permanent list of Sponsors, which the observant among you will notice has already been addressed; and

· Time for the conservation and bi-diversity initiatives to mature.

Most flattering of all was the statement that Tetbury “is one to watch for the future and has the potential to progress through to the highest levels of achievement in Britain in Bloom”.  If there had only been a newcomers award! 

For those of you who are interested, Pitlochry, Scotland, was awarded a Gold and overall winner in the Small Town category.  Also our “neighbours” Thornbury achieved a well deserved Gold and were nominated Category Winner in the larger Town category.  For a full list of winners refer to the RHS website at: www.rhs.org.uk

 

October 2009

Heart of England in Bloom Campaign, the Local Garden Competition and the Painting Competition - Results

 

I am delighted to be able to report that we achieved our fourth consecutive Gold award in the regional Heart of England in Bloom campaign.  We are also awarded Best Small Town for the second year.  This is a great achievement given that we were up against ten other small towns.   We have, however, to wait until 23^rd September for the results of the prestigious RHS Britain in Bloom campaign. 

I am also pleased to announce the winners of the local annual garden competition, as follows:  

 

Commercial Container Planting

Bronze:  Bonhams,The Ormond

Silver:  Abbeyfield, Snooty Fox Hotel, Tetbury United Services, Tetbury Youth Centre

Silver Gilt:  Artique,Tetbury Town Council (TTC) and The Close Hotel

Gold:  The Feoffees for the Market Hall and Peter Williams (2 Charlton Road)

 

Commercial Garden

Bronze:  The Close Hotel

Silver:  Les Triggs on behalf of TTC for the rear of the Courthouse, Peter Hervé House and Sam’s Memorial Garden on the Recreation Ground

Silver Gilt:  Hortensia

 

SHOP WINDOW DISPLAY

Bronze:  The Old Bookshop

Silver:  Eight Bells, Hortensia, Skeins of Tetbury and the Vets

Silver Gilt:  Ark Angel, Creative Hairdressing and Henrietta’s House

Gold:  Artique, Bonhams and Kitchenmonger

 

NEWLY CREATED GARDEN (UNDER 3 YEARS)

Silver Gilt:  Mr and Mrs Bullock (33 Hampton Street), SandraNorris (31 Chavenage Lane) and Steve Wilmott (10 Ryland Close)

Gold:  Jonathan Brodribb (43 Silver Street)

 

PRIVATE REAR GARDEN (OVER 3 YEARS)

Bronze:  Mrs Diana Melville (6 Wheat Hill, Romney Road)

Silver:    DHampson (15 Chavenage Lane)

Silver Gilt:    Pat Horton (12 Northfield Road) and Terri White and Connie Moulton (7 Newleaze Gardens)

Gold:  Mr and Mrs Bryan (94 St Mary’s Road), Mrs Gibbs (17 Newleaze Gardens), Mrs Gerda Smith (14 Close Gardens), Mr and Mrs Townsend (The Piece, Cutwell), Lance Vick (14 Northfield Road) and Michael J Watkins (30 Conygar Road)

 

PRIVATE FRONT GARDEN (OVER 3 YEARS)

Silver:    Mr and Mrs Bryan (94 St Mary’s Road), Karen Eastlake (Highfield Farm Cottage) and Mrs Diana Melville (6 Wheat Hill, Romney Road)

Silver Gilt:     Pat Horton (12 Northfield Road), Suzie Howard (Fern House, The Ferns), Mrs Gerda Smith (14 Close Gardens) and Terri White and Connie Moulton (7 Newleaze Gardens)

Gold:  Jan McKenzie (2 Quail Meadow) and Les Triggs (60 Hampton Street)

 

PRIVATE CONTAINER PLANTING

Silver:  D Hampson (15 Chavenage Lane), Pat Horton (12 Northfield Road) and Mrs Diana Melville (6 Wheat Hill, Romney Road)

Silver Gilt:  Suzie Howard (Fern House, The Ferns), Mrs E Smith (2 Chavenage Lane), Mrs Gerda Smith (14 Close Gardens) and Terri White and Connie Moulton (7 Newleaze Gardens)

Gold:   Ali Bristow (18 Long Street), David W Tanner (11 Chavenage Lane), Les Triggs (60 Hampton Street), Lance Vick (14 Northfield Road) and Roy Browning (1 Charlton Road)

 

ALLOTMENTS

Silver Gilt:    Mrs Jane Laming, Herd Lane

 

Wildlife-friendly gardening

Bronze:    Mrs Diana Melville (6 Wheat Hill, Romney Road)

Silver:    Hortense Oates (1 Market Place)

Silver Gilt:    Jayne West (Peter Hervé House)

Gold:    Mr and Mrs Gibbs (Well Cottage, 18 Chavenage Lane)

 

Category Winners are those highlighted. The standard was very high again this year and it was wonderful that we had a mix of new and “seasoned” entrants.  

I would like to thank the judges – Olly Spencer (Close Nursery), Kate Eedy and our own Sue Hirst – for giving up much of the weekend of 11^th/12^th July to judge the competition.      

And the results of the annual primary school painting competition are as follows:

5 - 8 Years - Infants

First: Charlotte Rushton Second: Bethany Scriven Third: Aimee Osling and Stella Harper Highly Commended: Jenny Gardener, Chloe Knight and Sophie Potter 

 

9 - 11 Years - JUNIOR

First: Owen Barron Second: Theo Martin Third: Ruby Moore Highly Commended: Charlie Alderson, Page Marshall and Crystal Vater

 

This year the competition was entitled “My Garden”.  In addition the winners were entered into the Heart of England painting competition and, from many hundreds of entries from many schools throughout the region, the following won prizes in their age range:

Sophie Potter Age 5 3^rd prize

Bethany Scriven Age 6 2^nd prize

Charlotte Rushton Age 7 1^st prize

Owen Barron Age 9 1^st prize

What a creative and artistic group of children we have! 

On behalf of the Committee I would like to offer our congratulations to everyone who entered these local competitions.  I look forward to meeting you all at the Prize Giving evening on Friday 25^th September, 6.30pm at The Dolphins Hall.

 

September 2009

2009 Judging 

The hard work is over for another season but the results of the judging are yet to be announced.  We have to wait until 3^rd September for the results of the regional Heart of England campaign (too late for this article) and until 23^rd September for the prestigious national Britain in Bloom finals. 

All I can tell you at this stage is that Les Goodman and David Wassell, judges of the Heart of England in Bloom competition, were enormously impressed with Tetbury this year, saying that the town has never looked so good and that it had been transformed beyond all recognition during the many years that they have been visiting.  They were particularly impressed with the planting of the roundabout which they said was the best they had ever seen! 

The RHS judges (Roger Burnett, Chairman of the National Judging Panel, and Andrew Jackson) were equally complementary.  They reminded us that, as one of only six towns of our size from across the UK to reach the finals, we were already winners saying that we were “amongst the cream of the crop”.  They were particularly impressed by our floral displays, calling them mini-gardens not typical of municipal planting and quoting us as an example of best-practice when it came to sustainable planting (the balance of permanent planting and use of seasonal bedding).  They even went as far as saying that other towns could learn from us!  They were also impressed by the amount of support and participation, which was clearly in evidence on the day itself. 

Well done and thank you to you all. 

Special thanks go, in particular, to:

· Those many volunteers who came out (regardless of the wet weather) to help with planting, litter picking, various painting projects, sweeping the streets, cleaning-out the gutters and assisting with the last minute “titivation” between judging dates.

· The Council garden staff, SITA and Community Payback Team.

· Tetbury Audi for loaning us the judging car and Dave Hicks for his expertise and patience as he drove us around town.

· Paul Grimes of Wotton Farm, Olly Spencer of Close Nursery, Tim Cordall from the Market Hall stall, Landcare Nurseries at Chipping Sodbury and Sanday’s Nursery at Almondsbury for supplying the plants.

· Eagle Plant Hire for the loan of the hedge trimmer, which we used to cut Tesco’s hedge between judging dates, it having been pointed out as needing attention!

· Leomi Potter who designed the amazing mural; Miss Thompson and Saint Mary’s Garden Club members who so expertly painted it.  To Builders Ede for supplying the boards and allowing us to use their property and to John Latter for the loan of his trailer to transport the artwork, which was no mean feat.

· The traders who dressed their window displays so imaginatively.

· Those people, strategically placed along the judging route (Barbara Ball, Sue and Tony Davies, Diana Challis, Alan Bailey,Hortense Oates and Patricia Burrell) who had “good things” to say to the judges.

· The welcoming dignitaries, of whom there are too many to list here (you know who you are) demonstrating the enormous support Tetbury in Bloom has received this season.

· The Feoffees for the use of the Market Hall.

· The Camera Club for the loan of the display boards and the overhead projector.

· Number 65 for baking all the scones and the WI for serving the refreshments.

· The Close Hotel for making the judges so welcome.

And, of course, to everyone who visited the Exhibition and who supported us.  We could not have done it all without you.

I hope that you like the results.

Finally, I understand that some people have asked us how they could make a donation.  If you wish to do so, cheques should be made payable to “Tetbury in Bloom” and either sent to Sue Hirst at 8 Springfield, or handed to one of the team (out and about in their yellow jackets).  Thank you.

 

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