3 minute read
The latest with Wickford in Bloom
The sunny days are at long last here… it had begun to feel as if we wouldn’t ever see the sun or feel its warmth!
Our summer display was planted in mid-May and the flowers are already blooming. The colours are stunning and it’s lovely to see the plants growing strongly and being nurtured and cared for by our lovely volunteers. Wickford in Bloom wouldn’t exist without their commitment and time.
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Following lots of applications, licences, approvals and testing we started to prepare the planters for summer on the King’s “Big Help Out” following his Coronation and finished planting the following weekend. On both occasions it was great to see such community spirit with many volunteers, both ones we had seen before and new faces, coming along to help out.
A first are the silver birch trees outside Peacocks, Suttons and Iceland. We replaced the existing wooden planters with bigger hexagonal planters in black and gold with water reservoirs to keep the trees well-watered.
The wooden planters were moved to Market Lane and planted up with geraniums and petunias to match the other planting. The trees and plants are so pretty but in the full sun they do dry out quickly so if you have a moment, please think about giving them a drink as every little helps.
The Peacocks planter had become rather shabby but has had a revamp with a spray of black and gold paint and is now looking really smart.
We have also added a new rectangular planter outside W H Smiths and 4 new saddle planters on the corner railing near Peacocks. The existing saddle planters at the railway bridge are again coming into their own and looking beautiful.
Wickford in Bloom won the Amberol photo competition with the support of the community for the 2nd time at the beginning of the year and we are hoping to make it 3 out of 3 with our summer planters!
The existing wooden planters outside Cossons, Newsbox and New World Chinese… and our golden bike are all at Halls corner end of town. Planters are also in Market Lane and outside Headlines and Impressed dry cleaners. Thank you to the shopkeepers who do a lovely job helping us to maintain our planters as they always look amazing. If any business would like a watering can to help, please let us know!
In addition to our golden bike, we have a new quirky addition which is looked after by Beans and Bagels… go take a look! We’d love to see your photos with the bike and our new feature! Please email any photos to us with your consent for us use them on our social media feeds.
Our hanging baskets are up too! This year we have an extra 10 baskets, making 28 in total. They are now from Halls Corner to The Lower Southend Road junction.
You’ll notice some lamp posts in between do not have a basket. The posts are tested to ensure they are safe and without permission we are unable to install. The baskets were installed by Windowflowers Ltd who water and maintain them. We have been able to add to last year’s display thanks to help from Wickford Town Council, local businesses and residents who have sponsored baskets. We are all volunteers and rely on grants and donations to buy plants, compost equipment etc. This financial year the committee’s efforts have been helped by grants from Wickford Town Council, Essex County Council and the Co-op. The baskets are sponsored and this year have been sponsored by:
• Downham Hall
• HEARTS Academy
• Wickford Horticultural Society
• Wickford Girlguiding
• Wickford Taxis
• Chandler Florists
• Keylock Games
• Eve Belle Care Home
• Smiths Windows
• Kim Oakes
• Graeme Ellis
• Mr and Mrs Dimond
• Cllr Derek Harrison
• Debut Training Academy and Salon
• Westway Travel
A massive THANK YOU to each and every one of you!
If you’d like to follow Wickford In Bloom, please see our social media feeds:
We meet to water on a Wednesday evening at 6:30pm and a Sunday morning at 9:30am at Market Lane… the side of Poundland. No experience is necessary, just turn up to help us water and deadhead. We’re a friendly bunch, who love a coffee on a Sunday morning… we’d love to see you!
If you’d like to contact us, to sponsor a basket or planter or any other enquiries, please use this email: wickfordinbloom@virginmedia.com
If you would like to make a donation this can be done via PayPal with the link below: www.paypal.com/paypalme/ WickfordinBloom
