Tired parks and lack of funding hits Cheltenham's floral blooms
THERE was a time when Cheltenham's gardens blossomed.
But the colour has faded, as well as its prominence in the finals of the Heart of England in Bloom.
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BLOOMING LOVELY: Cheltenham in Bloom's Chris Ryder in Imperial Gardens when it was full of colour and, right, Stephen Crickmore's vets was among the winners in 2008
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Stephen Crickmore Veterinary Practice, Albion Lodge, 1, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, has received a gold from Cheltenham in Bloom PICTURED: Stephen Crickmore News; Echo: 27.8.08 Contact: 01242 580709 Picture by Anna Lythgoe - Thousand Word Media, NO SALES, NO SYNDICATION contact for more information mob: 07825 667679 web: www.thousandwordmedia.com email: anna@thousandwordmedia.com The photographic copyright (© 2008) is exclusively retained by the works creator at all times and sales, syndication or offering the work for future publication to a third party without the photographer's knowledge or agreement is in breach of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988, (Part 1, Section 4, 2b). Please contact the photographer should you have any questions with regard to the use of the attached work and any rights involved.
And some campaigners have now hit out, saying it is because of tired parks and a lack of funding.
The finalists for the floral competition have just been announced for 2013, yet it is the fourth year that Cheltenham has not even been entered.
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That comes just 10 years after the town won first place in the national Britain in Bloom contest, following previous successes in 1985 and 1988.
Chris Ryder, chairman of Cheltenham in Bloom, said the recent recession had stifled the committee.
"The committee, together with Cheltenham Borough Council and Ubico, who we work closely with, decided not to enter again this year," she said. "We have decided to put our energy into enhancing what we have already got and working with local communities."
She said a lack of funds and volunteers had hindered the committee's efforts.
She said: "Our parks are tired. What's the point of entering if it isn't fit for the judges to view? We want to make sure the project is not just about creating a route for the judges, but changing the entire town.
"The 80s and 90s were great for the town when the authority was more flush with the finances. We need to start thinking now if we want to enter next year.
"We need volunteers to help with the ground and paperwork."
Councillor John Rawson, (LD, St Peter's) cabinet member for finance at the borough council, said: "The borough council does not give an annual grant to Cheltenham in Bloom, but we do help them in other ways.
"We frequently give them grants to help with particular projects to improve our parks and gardens.
"They are applying to us for funds for another project in the coming year, and obviously we will be as helpful as we can.
"In addition, our officers and park rangers work very closely with Cheltenham in Bloom's volunteers to make the most of our parks and gardens."
The In Bloom events reward the best decorated towns in the region and takes into account gardens, flower beds and other natural sites.
2 Comments
by raidermanuk
Friday, February 01 2013, 7:31PM
“I've got pictures of delightful flower beds in Pittville park just south of the lake before the bridge. Not a flower to be seen there now. At times it can look like scrub land.
I was at the Crown Court in Gloucester today. Doling out community service orders upwards of 150 hours per person - there's a source of labour and the chance of something for them to do they could be proud of.”
by isitjustme
Thursday, January 31 2013, 10:22AM
“I am not surprised that we have not won any awards lately. The style of our municipal floral schemes may have been perceived as attractive in the 60s but in recent years has been garish, dated and ugly. We have a landscape department in the local, town-based university, so why does the Council not team up with them to set up an annual competition to design something worthy of this lovely location? It would give the youngsters a showcase and the town some kudos. Additionally, if we set a reasonable budget, we might get a cost effective show stopping display that we can all enjoy and be proud of instead of those hideous clashing begonias.”