23rd July 2008

Heart of England in Bloom Judging

We are lucky with Heart of England judging days! Another lovely, sunny day greeted the judges Roger Bache and Mark Wiltshire. Following coffee & presentation of the Portfolio on the Kings Head patio, Peter Bellamy & Jackie Surtees led Roger & Mark on a tour of the town. After walking along the riverfront, they were met by Marjorie Faulkner, who showed them the Sensory Garden. This was followed by viewing the Community Noticeboard and new fencing and planting behind it. Diane Bellamy showed one of the display boats and then took Roger & Mark to meet Ian Barber of Severn Waste Services who explained about the Recycling Centre. The route then went around the back of the Recycling Centre and into New Street, where one of the watering points of the hanging basket watering systems was shown. Sylvia Dawson presented copies of the Upton News.

We then boarded Trevor Jeynes' car, and Trevor drove us to the Old Road & Upton Surgery. We disembarked in Rectory Road to view one of the Local in Bloom winning gardens and then walked to the Cemetery where Town Clerk Andrea Oliver took us to the Chapel, showed the Garden of Remembrance, and then met some allotment holders. Trevor drove us from Laburnum Walk to Berrow Court. At the rear of Berrow Court we met Enid Loynes who spoke about The Ham. Then into the gardens of the Malt House, and into Dunns Lane.

A flotilla of boats - narrowboats, motor boats, a sailing dinghy, a team of rowers, Connie Lee, an Amphicar - were travelling upriver as we walked along Dunns Lane. The flotilla was augmented by the MV Conway Castle and the Oliver Cromwell which were both heading off downriver. A really good impression of today's 'River Trade', which is our theme.

A diversion to view 'Mr Bill & Mrs Lizzie' - Barbara Hartley's garden in Dunns Lane - and then along Waterside, through Bridge House patio, a quick view of 'Florrie', our watering van, and onto the Old Churchyard, where we were met by Mayor Tim Perry, handbell ringers, the British Legion, Friends of Upton in Bloom, Community Pride, children from Welland & Hanley Swan Primary Schools, and members of the public. We had a display showing the Primary School's activities, and press clippings from the last year.

Following judging we took the judges to the White Lion Hotel, where Jon & Chris provided a superb buffet lunch, for which our thanks.

Roger & Mark seemed to be very impressed with how Upton looked, and we look forward to the results! Many, many thanks to every individual & public authority who has helped the Committee get Upton looking so good - we couldn't have done it without you!