Calne in Bloom Portfolio 2016

Calne in Bloom 2016

Contents Our Town The ‘In Bloom’ Team Horticultural Achievement Impact Horticultural Practice

Grounds Staff Yearly Calendar of Tasks

Town Gardens

Autumn to Spring Displays

Summer Bedding Displays Environmental Responsibility

Conservation and Biodiversity

Resource Management

Local Environmental Quality

Pride of Place

Local Heritage

Calne Heritage Week Community Participation and Involvement

Residential and Community Gardening

Hanging Basket Workshops Allotments

Green Community Spaces

Castlefields Park

Friends of Abberd Brook

St Mary’s Churchyard

Holy Trinity Churchyard

Curzon Street Cemetery

Zion Chapel

Calne Free Church

Baptist Church

Beversbrook Sports & Community Facility

Involving Children and Young People

It’s Your Neighbourhood Grows!

Our Young People

The Bowl

Mill Race Centre

Raising Public Awareness

Funding and Support

Summary of Key Achievements

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Our Town Calne is a lively town, the perfect place to while away a few hours be it browsing the independent shops, enjoying a tasty lunch or unwinding in Castlefields Park. We are well connected to other Wiltshire towns along the A4 and are neighbours with Cherhill White Horse and Avebury.

The earliest know reference to Calne was in AD955 in the will of King Edred, but its origins are likely to be much earlier. The name is thought to be derived from the Celtic “col aun� meaning a current of waters, and it is from the river that the town derives much of its early importance.

The town prospered in the Middle Ages producing woollen broadcloth and the affluence of the town at that time is reflected in the many beautiful buildings you will encounter as you walk around.

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The ‘In Bloom’ Team

The team was formed around seven years ago and entered the South West in Bloom competition for the first time in 2010. We were proud to achieve ‘silver’ at that first attempt, and since then have we have achieved ‘silver gilt’ a number of times and finally in 2014 we achieved the ‘gold’ that we had been working so hard for.

On the committee are councillors and council staff working in partnership with a wide range of representatives from local community groups, schools, youth organisations and residents.

Our shared aim is to improve our town by making it a greener, cleaner and a more beautiful place to live, work and visit.

We do this in a number of ways: • Introducing more sustainable planting into the flower beds.

• Organising the planting of the town’s flower beds, roundabouts and placement of planters and hanging baskets.

• Co-ordinating our efforts with local groups and liaising with businesses and organisations.

• Welcoming all sections of the local community who are able to offer help either practically or financially.

• Encouraging residents, schools and clubs to become involved with the Calne in Bloom project regardless of disability, age or ethnicity.

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Calne in Bloom co-ordinator Trudy King at Calne Duck Race 2016

Horticultural Achievement Impact Over the past year, more and more areas have been planted with perennials and now the flower beds and roundabouts are a mix of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, grasses and annuals. These beds and roundabouts are sustainable, successional and seasonal with a strong focus on pollinator friendly plants. Calne Town Council and Calne in Bloom have a preference for native plants when designing the town’s floral displays, beds and roundabouts.

Members of the community often donate plants, bulbs, shrubs and trees to our campaign when they are dividing in their own gardens. These have included snowdrops, bluebells, primroses, salvias and grasses. This means that the Calne in Bloom initiative is a real community effort.

New bedding area on The Pippin Beds on New Road have been refreshed

Each year Calne in Bloom look at ways of reducing costs and increasing permanent displays within the planting schemes. This reduces overall time spent on the roundabouts, minimising risk. It also reduces watering and general maintenance tasks.

Two roundabouts, in particular, are now virtually maintenance free. They have been planted with Station Road shrubs, grasses and with only a few summer and roundabout is winter bedding plants being planted as required. flourishing Another example, is the riverside where water tolerant trees, shrubs and flowers have been planted and give a lovely back-drop to the many town events including the annual Duck Race and Summer and Christmas Festivals.

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Beach Terrace filled with spectators for Calne Duck Race

Horticultural Practice r of Tasks

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Town Gardens Town Gardens is a haven for bees, butterflies and other insects due to the prevalence of nectar beds, trees and shrubs. Many of the plants have been donated from local residents’ gardens. Located within the town centre, Town Gardens offers residents shady benches for lunches and a moment of tranquilty.

Shade Bed One of the beds in Town Gardens is located under some Whitebeam. The shade created has been used to create a perennial bed with different types of planting.

First to come into flower are snowdrops with Erythronium, Primrose, Pulmonaria, Brunnera “Jack Frost”and Hellebores.

Several varities of Hostas and Ferns begin to unfurl in around March.

Also in the spring the Beringina is in flower together with Geranium Pheum, Anemone Blanda in Blue and White and Dronicum.

Flowering later are Aqueligas, Astrantia and Heuchera.

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Insect Bed To encourage the early insects in spring we start with Pulmonaria, Hellebores (Hybrids and H.foetidus), Fox Gloves, Geranium Pheum and Wallflowers.

From mid-summer the insects love Marjoram, Echinops bannaticus, Verbena Bonarensis, Stachys Byzantina and several types of Buddlelia including B. Globosa.

Several of these plants will give nectar and pollen well into the autumn and there will also be Sedum Spectabile (the Ice Plant) and Caryopteris with its piercing blue flowers.

Autumn to Spring Displays Winter planting, with species such as such as Pansies and Polyanthus, is conducted using our nursery beds at Beversbrook over the summer months to enable them to be grown on ready for the following winter’s planting.

These are then displayed around the town using the beige beehive planters which are reduced from five tiers in the summer to three in winter.

Spring bulbs such as Crocus and Narcissi are planted in various locations including St Mary’s Churchyard, Town Gardens and near the river.

Planting of winter displays, 16th October 2015

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Winter planting and Christmas lights keep the town looking vibrant on dark evenings.

Calne’s Summer Bedding Displays for 2016: • Begonia Bon Bon Sherbert Yellow and Begonia Bon Bon Cherry Red in the five tier beehives and floral fountains.

• Petunia Fanfare Red and Petunia Surfinia Lime in the tubs.

The Petunia mix is also in the pole baskets, Town Hall baskets and the riverside barrier baskets.

• The welcome beds on the way into Calne comprise of Zinnia Zahara Yellow, Lobelia Cambridge Blue and Diascia Juliet Orange.

• The raised beds in the Town Centre, Town Steps and four tier displays have schemes of Dahlia Happy Single Romeo in Red, Antirrhinum Liberty Classic in White and Begonia.

The displays are watered, weeded and deadheaded on a regular basis and fed with blood, fish and bone slow release fertiliser giving 3-4 months release in the soil and peat-free compost.

All barrier, pole and hanging baskets have a wetting agent in them which helps to reduce watering. These are watered twice a week and are fed with a liquid feed once a week. The hanging baskets displayed around the Town Hall building have an automated water system.

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Environmental Responsibilty Conservation and Biodiversity In Calne we are very fortunate to have green spaces and beautiful countryside on our doorstep.

Along with Abberd Brook there are many other areas tended by volunteer groups including Penn Wood and Bentley Woods.

The River Marden Nature Trail is situated five minutes walk from the town centre. It is an oasis of wildlife in an otherwise urban and mostly residential area. The trail is owned and maintained by Calne Town Council and lies within Calne’s Conservation Area. The present management involves keeping the path clear of vegetation and litter with occasional lifting of overhanging branches.

Magnificent Marden Project The Bristol and Avon Rivers Trust In 2015 CTC implemented some improvements to held several weekend working groups the Trail by clearing around the now established this year. Local volunteers joined with crack willows and the rebuilding of the entrance BART members to improve the flow steps at the Brewers Lane as part of the lead-up to and cleanse the River Marden within the implementation of the Management Plan.

Castlefields Park. Further improvement work will be done when more The aim of the overall project is that Calne Town funding becomes available. This work Council, BART, Calne Wildlife, Wiltshire Wildlife, the will improve the habitats for local Woodland Trust and local naturalists will all assist in wildlife along the river as far as compiling a Management Plan for the Nature Trail Quemerford Mill. which will encompass all aspects of the area and benefit all users.

New steps on Calne Nature Trail

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Resource Management Calne Town Council always uses peat free compost in the floral displays and recycles it back into the shrub and nursery beds. Winter bedding is recycled into new areas and is often offered to It’s Your Neighbourhood groups and schools.

The grounds team collect water from the River Marden which in turn is pumped into a bowser mounted on the rear of one of our tipper trucks. This enables Calne to be environmentally friendly when it comes to watering. Most of the planters now have water reservoirs therefore reducing the need to water as frequently. This system cuts down on vehicle usage to ensure we have a less detrimental impact on the environment.

Local Environmental Quality This year Calne Town Council has launced a ‘Keep Calne Clean’ initiative to educate residents and help keep the town healthy and clean. Several members of the Calne Town Council team are now trained and able to issue on the spot Fixed Penalty Notices for dog fouling and littering, though whilst we have this power we hope to educate rather than enforce.

We have a dedicated full-time member of staff to collect litter and clean the streets. He also reports any issues which need attending to. We are actively concentrating on grot spots and are in liaison with the local authority to take over the management of these areas, such as the new bed on The Pippin this year. Various community groups are ready and waiting to start new projects.

Calne Town Council Streetcleaner Dave

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The Town Council has been raising awareness about the ‘Keep Calne Clean’ campaign through press coverage and entering Dave the duck into this year’s Duck Race in May.

As part of this year’s Clean for the Queen initiave for Her Marjesty’s 90th birthday, several communty groups organised their own litter picks.

Friends of Abberd Brook, Calne Environmental Network and Calne Bowl Group all participated, inviting local residents to join them.

Love Calne Love Clean Air ... Members of Calne’s Air Quality Working Group and Local Youth Network spent the morning of 11th March working with Town Council staff to plant six 12 foot silver birch trees in the Town Gardens which is one of the Air Quality Management Areas within the town.

20 trees were planned, but due to siting constraints within the chosen locations the remaining trees are currently on hold until further grant funding is sought to enable container trees instead.

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Pride of Place The town is cared for by Town Council staff, who are often helped by dedicated volunteers. A prime example of this has been the refurbishment of the street furniture which, whilst organised by the Town Council and Wiltshire Council, was also supported by the community.

The High Street’s beehives make a perfect colourful backdrop for Calne Bike Meet, one of the largest free motorbike events in Europe.

The town has several good pedestrianised areas which enable the council to run various festivals, events and markets throughout the year. The town centre planting schemes enhance these areas for residents and visitors alike.

The town benefits from many pieces of Art in the Landscape and over recent years the town has installed various pieces to help celebrate Calne’s unique heritage.

Local Heritage Calne is very fortunate to have such an interesting and varied history. Calne Heritage Centre tells the story of the town through exhibitions of objects, photographs and memories.

Calne has always been a town of discovery; Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen whilst living in Calne and working at nearby Bowood House. The Harris family developed Wiltshire Cured ham and bacon from their factories in Calne, shipping their products all over the world. Calne was also a centre of the woollen trade, with many buildings from the industry still visible around The Green.

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Three Indian Bean Trees were planted to celebrate the town’s twinning in 2000.

Residents from Charlieu (France), Caln (USA) and Eningen (Germany) visited Calne this year, pictured above.

Calne’s striking head sculpture, installed in 2000, was designed by Rick Kirby through an international competition and is symbol of the town’s past and future.

Calne Heritage Week Calne welcomed over 1000 people to its first Heritage Week from 7th to 13th September 2015.

With 18 events held accross 10 venues, the week was very well received. Highlights of the programme included Den Weaving on The Green, a number of guided walks and the opening of historic buildings including Calne’s 17th century Almshouses.

Free events held towards the end of the week were also part of the national Heritage Open Days scheme, increasing the event’s publicity and reach.

Calne Heritage Quarter The town’s Heritage Quarter is an area celebrated for its historic character and charm. The quarter has an attractive mix of architecture spanning several eras, with peaceful green spaces and notable buildings such as Grade I listed St Mary’s Church.

The majority of the churches and other historic buildings have It’s Your Neighbourhood groups that initiate gardening projects to keep these areas looking their best.

It’s never been easier to discover Calne’s thriving past with the installation of six new maps around the town’s Heritage Quarter. Each of the six maps contains site-specific information and historical photographs, offering readers a glimpse into the past of each location. Funded by grants from Wiltshire Council and Calne Chamber of Commerce, the maps also feature the location of Calne’s ten Blue Plaques which were installed in 1997 to commemorate the millennium.

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One of th es outside o ix maps is installe f Calne H d eritage C attract th e n e attentio tre to n of pass and enco ers by urage vis itors to e the town xplore .

Community Participation and Involvement Residential and Community Gardening Calne has a thriving gardens competition which is organised in conjunction with the Town Council and Calne in Bloom. Calne in Bloom categories for 2015 were: • Best Front Garden • Best Front Container Garden • Best Back Garden • Best Residential/Community Garden • Best Licenced Premises Display • Best Allotment The idea behind the Calne in Bloom competition is simply to encourage people to take pride in their own garden or in their local spaces. Calne in Bloom wish to celebrate the efforts that the community make to encourage wildlife and biodiversity.

Judging of the entries is carried out by the Town Mayor, a Town Councillor and local gardening experts with whom we work closely. Judging takes place in middle to late July with an awards ceremony in the Town Hall in September and all entrants are invited to come along for a sociable evening with drinks and nibbles. The generous donation of gardening vouchers from our local garden centre ensures everyone goes home with something in recognition for all their hard work.

The Town Mayor presents the awards for both Calne in Bloom and the RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood certificates.

Best Back Garden 2015 won by Mr Paul Waite, The Rise Sponsored by

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Hanging Basket Workshops On Saturday 7th May the Calne in Bloom team held their first hanging basket workshop within the community. Held outdoors for the first time in the New Market Place, the working group encouraged passers by to drop-in and plant a basket, with sunflower seeds to plant for children.

Several groups of enthusiastic families took part throughout the day, with children enjoying getting their hands dirty and choosing the plants. Calne Town Council’s Grounds Staff team were on hand to offer guidance and assistance where needed.

When the children’s sunflowers are fully grown the tallest will be awarded a prize at the Calne in Bloom awards on 7th October.

Allotments Calne Town Council oversees the running of the two allotment sites at Newcroft and Beversbrook. The allotments are fully utilised and in order to keep the waiting list to a minimum regular monthly inspections are carried out to ensure the plots are being maintained in a satisfactory manner. Should any allotments become untidy then the holder will be asked to bring it up to a reasonable standard. If this does not happen then the holder will be asked to relinquish the plot so that one of the many on the waiting list can have the chance of having an allotment.

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Green Community Spaces Calne is surrounded by natural beauty including the Cherhill Downs and White Horse which always attract visitors year round, as does Avebury World Heritage Site which is just a few miles along the A4.

Within Calne, we are lucky enough to have several green spaces including Castlefields Park, Abberd Brook, Calne Recreation Ground, Calne Nature Trail, Town Gardens, Bentley Wood, Beversbrook Sports Facility and close by is the beautiful Bowood Estate.

Castlefields Park Castlefields Park is an excellent example of the Town Council working in partnership with a voluntary organisation. In 2012 Castlefields Park was designated a QE11 Field. This Award, one of the 2012 across the country, means that the Park is protected as an open space for all time. To acknowledge the Award and to commemorate HM Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee a tree planting scheme was carried out. A circle of Scots Pine was planted on The Mound to form an outer ring around the mature pines planted in the 19th century to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

The official ceremonial planting was carried out by the Marquis of Lansdowne, Vice Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire.

The Castlefields team were thrilled to be awarded five stars in the Pride in Parks Awards at South West in Bloom’s spring seminar.

In September 2015 the Town Mayor unveilled a panel which interprets a new area of planting in the park. It is believed that in medieval times a Castle existed on the narrow plateau of high land within the park. A hedge has been planted near Castle House to mark where the walls would once have stood.

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Castlefield Park’s historic stone wall in parts dates back to the 1600s, although the majority of the current wall is probably Victorian. This year essential work has been undertaken to stabilise the wall to ensure it remains for years to come.

Since 2012, defects have appeared within the wall forcing the use of 250 meters of security fencing in order to maintain public safety and provide a “fall” area should any of the wall collapse.

There was a large amount of intrusive vegetation on and hanging over the wall and many trees are in close proximity to the site. 23 assorted trees have been removed from this site with more than 30 native species planted a minimum of 8 metres away from the wall’s structure or within other areas in the park to replace those removed.

Greatest care was taken to ensure the safety of nearby wildlife during this work, which took place early in 2016 prior to the start of nesting season. Following this work the wall will then be brought back to its former glory through repair and reconstruction. Hills Homes has funded the repairs through the Section 106 agreement of the nearby Station Road housing development.

The Town Council produced an The felled trees were information panel to explain the work. recycled into chippings and used in paths within Castlefields Park and in town centre planting areas.

30 native species were planted to replace those removed.

The Castlefields team have continued to undertake various fundraising initiatives this year such as holidng a Pumpkin Hunt for Halloween and Easter Egg Hunt, which were both very well attended and much enjoyed. The group are extremely proud to have been selected as Sainsbury’s Charity of the Year in Calne. A sum of £14,500 donated by both Sainsbury’s and Viridor will fund construction of a new outdoor gym.

As part of ongoing improvement works, the Castlefields team have started a wildflower meadow using seed packs from the National Grow Wild campaign organised by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

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Friends of Abberd Brook (FAB) The Friends of Abberd Brook group was established at the beginning of 2010 as a direct result of two of its members attending a Calne Area Board meeting in August 2009. At that meeting the issue of the neglected state of Abberd Brook was raised; as the brook is home to much wildlife, including water voles. This concern was taken up by Wiltshire Councillors and a Task Group set up to identify in detail some of the problems and the best way to overcome them. Working with the local councillors, GreenSquare Housing, and the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust it was decided that the best way forward was for a local residents’ group to take on the work. This resulted in The Friends of Abberd Brook being established with a constitution being drafted and terms of reference formally acknowledged in March 2010.

Over a period of time, the volunteers obtained funding from both Town and County councils, GreenSquare Housing, Community First, Calne Community Area Partnership and Coleman’s Farm Community Centre to assist in projects relating to the brook and involving the community wherever possible. After much negotiation with the Environment Agency and Wiltshire Council FAB received permission to have greater control of the brook. In light of this, permission was granted to carry out works to trees by the underpass and a dry hedge has been formed in an area along the brook.

The FAB group planting a new wildflower meadow to encourage bees and insects and incease the area’s biodiversity. The group were joined by Calne Scouts.

A heron enjoying Abberd Brook’s pond.

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St Mary’s Churchyard St Mary the Virgin closed churchyard is cared for by the Town Council and is home to the town`s War Memorial. The Town Council arrange for the pruning of the historic Yew Avenue and the low-level floral border around the war memorial is part of the town’s planting scheme.

Holy Trinity Churchyard The churchyard covers approximately 3.5 acres and is a haven for flora and fauna. It is lovingly maintained by volunteers from Calne and Blackland PCC to encourage a natural, sensitive habitat for native species.

There are many Yew Trees, Redwoods, a Scots Pine and Elder, Laurel, Hawthorn, Holly and Blackberry bushes. In early spring there is an abundance of Snowdrops and Crocii at the southern boundary. This area is left uncut until September to encourage wild flora and fauna and in the spring many daffodils, primroses and bluebells are found there.

Many birds are often seen and larger mammals are also evident including badgers, foxes and muntjac deer - with bats often seen at dusk.

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Curzon Street Cemetery The cemetery caters for traditional burials and the internment of cremated remains and burial services may be held in the small Chapel. Memorial plaques can be positioned in the Garden of Remembrance or on the Memorial Wall. Donations of benches or the planting of shrubs, trees or flowers are always welcome and make the cemetery a place for the whole community to be at peace in.

The Town Council is still actively engaged in trying to source land for a new cemetery. If a suitable site is found it is planned that part of any land purchased will be used for a cemetery, the remainder will be utilised as allotments until such time as the land is required for burial purposes.

Zion Chapel

Calne Free Church

Baptist Church

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Beversbrook Sports & Community Facility Calne Town Council owns and runs this award-winning facility. The 94 acre site was opened in 2009 and has been transformed into a top class sports facility with a state of the art pavilion, community hall and grounds that include fourteen football pitches, one floodlit hard court and two cricket squares.

40,000 people visit Beversbrook each year and the facilty is home to 75 football teams ranging from 3 year olds to seniors and 25 other sporting, non sporting and governing organisations.

Environmental Quality at Beversbrook The facility is proud of its ‘green’credentials. Its vehicle wash down facility uses only recycled water, which is collected and stored in the purpose built pond. As the machinery is washed the grass clippings are collected and then used for compost.

Beversbrook is not connected to any sewage network; sewage is treated on site and released back into the river. Rain water collected from the football pitches is held in an irrigation pond and during dry weather this water can be used for watering the pitches. Water butts collect water around the facility for watering the flowering displays. All the chemicals that are used on the pitches are environmentally friendly and are xylene and lead free. All ditches and hedges are maintained between September and March, out of the nesting season. Around the ditches an area of three metres is left untouched to allow wildlife and wild flowers to roam freely.

Awards 2015/2016 2015 WINNER: Wiltshire County FA Groundsman of the Year 2015 Runner Up: FA Groundsman of the Year Award 2015 RHS LEVEL: OUTSTANDING 2015 WINNERS: IOG Grassroots Sports Team of the Year 2015 Runner Up: IOG Unsung Hero of the Year 2015 Pride of Parks Awards - 5 stars

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What’s new at Beversbrook As part of the construction of the new AWP (All Weather Pitch) and to comply with the planning conditions, Beversbrook was committed to plant a new planting area and hedge line (right).

The trees that were planted in the 2014 during tree week by the local football players are continuing establishing well (left).

The construction for the new All Weather Pitch commenced in February with the removal of the top soil. To maximise the use of the top soil a new football pitch was constructed. Meaning that all materials were kept on site and were not sent to landfill sites (below).

The new full size All Weather 3G pitch constructed from a pile of artificial grass blades supported by a thin base layer of sand, and by an infill of rubber crumb will offer a venue for sport clubs to train and play matches when the grass pitches are unplayable (above).

The rubber crumb is made from recycled old car tyres.

All the grass football pitches drain into the irrigation pond, which recycles the water for use in the summer months (below).

Since the opening of Beversbrook the number of visitors has increased to 40,000 people per year. To accommodate the extra cars, Calne Town Council sought grant funding to build an over flow car park.

The over flow can now accommodate an extra 200 cars (below right). To ensure that the extra parking did not cause flooding, a new ditch/holding ditch was constructed.

Calne Tennis Club and the Town Council worked in partnership to secure grant funding to construct 4 state of the art tennis courts (right).

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Involving children and young people Each year Calne in Bloom invite local school children into the town centre to help plant up the Town Centre displays. The pupils from six of our schools were able to spare the time away from the classroom this year and the grounds staff and other members of the group were able to help out. All of the pupils felt a huge sense of pride that they had contributed to the look of the town for the summer months.

The schools that took part were: • • • • • •

Holy Trinity C of E Academy Marden Vale Acadamy St Margarets Preparatory School Fynamore Primary School Priestley Primary School St Edmunds RC School

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It’s Your Neighbourhood grows!

In 2015/16, 20 groups from around the town entered the It’s Your Neighbourhood initiative, with many of these achieving ‘Outstanding’ in their first year in the competition. We are thrilled that the initiative is taking grip and attracting more interest each year from residents wanting to make a positive contribution to the places they live.

Our Young People This year there are four schools and two youth groups taking part. There is much enthusiasm with all the new groups and their plans all coming to fruition.

Developments at Fynamore School this year.

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The Bowl The Bowl is another one of the new groups and they are working on a plan to transform the area of land around the new Skate Park. Their plans include edible displays, meadow flowers and a living sofa constructed from hard materials and camomile.

The local Air Cadets group also recently set up as an IYN at Ogilivie Square. Also they have helped out with other volunteers at the Skate Bowl and Castlefields Park.

Jake from the Bowl group collecting award for Best Youth Achievement in the South West (joint first).

Mill Race Centre Mill Race is a group providing support for adults with learning disabilities. The group is a new It’s Your Neighbourhood entry this year and the users are enjoying planning 24 their allotment garden.

Raising Public Awareness Calne in Bloom is extremely proactive in raising awareness for the group’s various projects throughout the year, and has establish various channels of communication to reach a variety of audiences.

Community Engagement Often, speaking to people face-to-face is the most effective way to gather support and understanding about Calne in Bloom projects. With this in mind, the decision was taken to relocate the annual hanging basket workshops from the Town Hall to Phelps Parade outdoor shopping precint. The new position enabled the team to generate interest in Calne in Bloom and welcome both regular workshop goers plus some new faces.

Calne in Bloom also had a stand at Calne Lions Duck Race on Saturday 14th May. This year the group produced an attractive pull up banner and leaflet to promote Calne in Bloom, giving an overview of the project and how to get in touch.

Press We have been more active with the local press to promote Calne in Bloom advertising our events such as Hanging Basket Workshop, 2015 campaign launch, gardens competition and schools planting day. Recently the local paper ran an article on the benefits of becoming involved with Calne in Bloom and how residents can help us before and during judging day to keep their areas looking well maintained and turning “grey areas into green”.

Calne Connection The Calne Connection is a quarterly newsletter which goes out to all residents and businesses.

Calne in Bloom use this as a method of advertising events and highlighting our successes and those of other community groups including schools or residents. We use photographs to send out positive messages about what is happening around the town and to engage people to sign up to become volunteers for future projects.

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Social Media Calne in Bloom is doing more to advertise and promote their activities. In March 2015 we created a Calne in Bloom Facebook Page, this has become very popular, currently we have over 380 residents and other ‘In Bloom’ groups liking, commenting, posting and sharing our posts.

Through the page we have made positive connections with other ‘In Bloom’ towns and influential people such as Barry Cruse, MBE, Bath in Bloom and Patti Pinto, Guest Speaker on Youth Gardening at the South West in Bloom Spring Seminar which was held in Melksham.

The purpose of the page is to increase community involvement and promote Calne in Bloom in a positive way in the local area. If groups are having working parties or events and would like them promoted on the page they can send their details and advertising by email to the administrator who will share and promote them through the page and other associated pages on the group’s behalf.

Online Calne in Bloom has a section on the Calne Town Council website which is regularly updated with news, events and campaigns.

The latest news is then shared with other community websites, ensuring a wider coverage and greater engagement.

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Funding and Support Calne Town Council, Calne in Bloom and many of the It’s Your Neighbourhood groups work with our local authority, Wiltshire Council, the Environment Agency, Wessex Water and many local businesses large and small. Most of the neighbourhood groups hold fund raising events to help their campaigns and to engage with the community. Under the Calne in Bloom umbrella we work together for the good of the whole town.

We are always looking at more ways to reach out for funding opportunities and as a working group we advise our many groups and new volunteers getting involved.

Sponsorship Many local businesses support Calne in Bloom with annual sponsorship of roundabouts, permanent flower beds and the town welcome beds. This enables the supply of all plants and materials, maintenance and watering of these areas. Calne in Bloom are very grateful for these donations which enable the town to look so beautiful. New businesses regularly contact us to enquire about further options, there is currently a waiting list and we are investigating other sponsorship ideas.

Our sponsors this year have been: • Carlton Business Centre • Johnson & Daltrey • Integrated Electrical Security Ltd • Baz Roll International Ltd • Riverview Portfolio • Bevirs Solicitors • White Horse Veterinary Clinic • WEC Ltd • St Margarets Preparatory School • JPO Construction Ltd • SAAFA • Calne Lions Club • Rotary Club of Calne • Eco Assist • Mrs M Baggs • Wilkins Builders Ltd • Peter Hodges Associates Ltd • Whitehall Garden Centres

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Summary of Key Achievements Calne in Bloom is very proud to have won Gold at the South West in Bloom Awards in 2015, our next goal is to win the Portman Cup. We strongly believe that with the help of the community groups, our local schools, youth groups, businesses and Calne Town Council that we can continue to develop and improve.

Our level of community participation has grown in 2015/16 with the active involvement of more schools and youth groups ensuring that the future is bright. The plans for the improvements along the Calne Nature Trail will develop over the next three years working in partnership with various agencies to improve conservation, the environment and biodiversity within Calne.

As part of ‘Greening Grey Britain’, an area in The Pippin has been transformed with the creation of a new sustainable flower bed. This has been planted with donated bee and insect friendly plants to increase the wildlife and biodiversity of the area.

The raised public profile of Calne in Bloom ensures that we will continue to encourage an increasing number of residents to love where they live.

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