April 28th 2008

Peter Ainsworth, Shadow Minister for the Environment, escorted by Harriett Baldwin, came to look around the town today, and was met by Upton Mayor Tim Perry, local residents, business owners and representatives of the Environment Agency. Tim showed him photos taken during the July 2007 floods, and he then walked from New Street to Hanley Road, along the riverfront where plans for permanent barriers were shown to him, and back via the Old Churchyard. Mr Ainsworth is Chairman of the Elgar foundation and was very interested to know that last year's theme for Upton in Bloom was Elgar's 150th Anniversary. He wished the town good luck in this year's RHS Britain in Bloom campaign.