Ledbury In Bloom

LEDBURY IN BLOOM 2020 “RAZZLE DAZZLE”

50 T he year started well for Ledbury In Bloom with the splendid news that they will be one of the charities supported by Tesco this spring. “From April 1st, customers will get the chance to use a token to help LIB replenish the aging tubs in The Homend” explained Chairman Clive Gunn. He went on to say “We are again indebted to Ledbury Town Council who continue to sponsor the hanging baskets which were truly outstanding last year; the change in supplier worked wonders. Ledbury Town Council have also agreed to fund the renewal of the lower troughs at the Top Cross. They were designed by local craftsman John Wadley who built them with wood supplied by Birtsmorton based Ellis Dawe Ltd. Our volunteers have already installed them and planted them up. We know that Ledbury Town Council have plans to create a brighter, tidier and smarter Ledbury; we thank them for all of their efforts.” Ledbury In Bloom hopes to include the community more this year in line with the RHS ‘Grow Social’ campaign for 2020. “After an appeal earlier this year we have new volunteers; a publicised 25% increase sounds great until you realise that this is from 12 to 15” added the chairman. “Under the direction of Deputy, Tina Vass, our volunteers have worked miracles in the past (particularly dealing with all the weeds and rubbish that builds up through the year) with more than a little help from friends, neighbours and other groups but this year they will need to concentrate on horticulture instead. Another response to our appeal was from Bosbury Beavers and Cubs, many of whose members come from Ledbury. They hope to tend to some beds in town and use their litter pickers when necessary. They will be out and about on Mondays in the late afternoon. Why not come on out and join them and help keep Ledbury Tidy. Across Ledbury other independent groups are already doing their bit. One is looking after The Station building on the initial work of Ledbury In Bloom and Lynne McCrae in particular; the U3A gardening group led by Sally Holliday tends to the beds in the entrance to the Walled Garden, and Wendy Hill does a great job with the Almshouse beds almost single-handedly. A consortium including Amanda Lambourne and involving Busy Bees is taking over the new bed in Queens Walk that was created by the felling of the old firs and then rescued by Ledbury In Bloom. However, the onset of Covid-19 demands flexibility. “Most of our volunteers are elderly but we are going to make every effort to carry on and still make Ledbury look ‘Blooming Beautiful’ by working in smaller groups. Having said that, we have an URGENT need for some younger reinforcements. Earlier in the year I offered a "Six Hour Challenge" and that offer is still open: an hour a month for 6 months is all we need if enough people volunteer. We are also worried about our normal sponsors who may be financially troubled by the current situation. Last year we were grateful for some new small donations which helped us to survive. To quote the RHS ‘Grow Social’ campaign: ‘Gardening can bring people together, helping to connectus with each other, ourselves andwith nature. That's whywe are encouraging you to make new connections in yourcommunitybygrowing togetherin April 2020.’ “We had hoped that projects that are started this spring will bear fruit throughout the year and beyond but their start may have to be put on hold. We are entered into Heart Of England In Bloom but

may withdraw if it seems wise to do so. The situation may change. Who knows?”

For details look out for their new brochure, contact Clive Gunn on 01531 634716 or clive.gunn@hotmail. co.uk or go to https://www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/ community-gardening/news/articles/grow-socialin-2020

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