Edwinstowe in Bloom (EiB) volunteers worked hard to get ready for judging on 3rd July. They tidied the flower beds and put edging round as many as they could. Tyres filled with plants were used to decorate the beds and the Garage on the High Street. Shops decorated their windows and forecourts. Sunflower Art by Class One from St Mary’s School adorned the route.
A totem pole bird table donated by Fables Coffee House and some lovely donated bright mushroom ornaments were used to decorate the ‘Fables Strip’ at the front of the wildflower meadow area. The Brownies and Rainbows decorated their bed with red and yellow flowers and their trefoil picked out in white stones.
Edwinstowe in Bloom green signs were put up where possible and each area had an information plaque about the planting. Litter pickers worked the route on the morning before the judges to make sure no rubbish marred the picture.
When judges Liz and Malcolm from East Midlands in Bloom arrived, they were given a presentation titled ‘More Than Just Hanging Baskets’. This gave them an overview of EiB’s efforts this year: who has been involved, the support and community involvement and what the future holds. They then took a tour of the route.
The visit concluded with a reception at Edwinstowe Community Cricket Club and an opportunity to meet other volunteers, supporters and contributors. The day was a great success and the judges were most impressed by the involvement of the whole community.
Several members and volunteers took part in a horticultural course organised by ATTFE. They were presented with their certificates at the Cricket Club reception by Lee Brazier, Community and Partnership Lead at ATTFE.
Each participant was presented with a beautiful herb garden and a box containing organic and ecological garden tools.
There have also been more great entries for the Photography competition. The winning photograph for January was ‘Path through the forest’ by Vicky Latham, the winner for February was ‘Snowdrops’ by Faye Wingfield, and for March the winning entry was ‘Spring flowers’ by Ginette McGrory.
July entries closed at midnight on the last day of the month and entries are now welcome for August. If you are an amateur photographer and over 16, please send your entries in jpg format to eib@btinternet.com.
Finally, Edwinstowe in Bloom has been successful in its bid for a grant from Just Giving, National Grid so has been able to purchase a water bowser. They also have sufficient funds left in the grant to purchase some water butts and a pump to assist with transferring the water from the butts to the bowser.
For more information find Edwinstowe in Bloom on Facebook or email eib@btinternet.com.