Herne Bay in Bloom win GOLD

The Herne Bay in Bloom  team were thrilled when they attended Fontwell Park South and South East In Bloom Awards presentation day on Sept 7th (sponsored by Southern Water) to hear that not only had they won the GOLD medal for the class Large Coastal town (population 1200 and over) but had  also won the Kent Life Award sponsored by Archant Ltd (Publishers) for the  entry in the County with the most  overall points.

The Memorial Park achieved a Bronze Award for its first time entry and last but certainly not least Eddington Allotment site won the Judges Discretionary Award  for the Best Allotment Site  in the South and South East. A really marvellous achievement for the town all round.

The judges report said that they were extremely impressed by the overall commitment of committee members that they met and commended the inspirational leadership of Secretary Colleen Ashwin-Kean.

The involvement of so many community groups was highlighted particularly Appleseed Landscapes for their garden at Eddington Roundabout and the Friends of Curtis Wood Park who had conducted a survey of users as to what they wanted from the park and so created wider paths through the grass and also produced a series of "I-Spy" cards for children. The planting of the derelict area outside Herne Institute by Herne Horticultural & Rose Society and Family Investment Homes was cited as a further example of the enthusiasm and commitment of the In Bloom committee.

They were also complimentary of the hanging baskets, bollard planters and wooden box containers in the Mortimer Street area as well as the transformation of Sea Street roundabout using a sea theme with sustainable planting.

Herne Infants School was congratulated on all the classrooms having a small garden just outside each room where the pupils grew a variety of flowers and vegetables.

They said it was encouraging to see the involvement of Canterbury City Council and Serco Services and concluded by saying that the itinerary and judges tour had allowed the judges to meet many members of the  voluntary organisations, residents and In Bloom committee members who had been so heavily involved  in the campaign throughout the year.

Their comments on the Eddington Lane Allotment site showed that they were very impressed and encouraged by the Environmental garden created by 17 year old Luke Rose and what particularly took their eye was that each allotment plot had their wooden  number posts drilled with holes to provide space for overwintering ladybirds - a truly innovative environmental detail.