The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding In Bloom committee chairman Angela Newton says the town is gunning to come first in East Midlands In Bloom 2016.
Spalding won gold for a second year running in this year’s awards in the large town category, with 172 points out of a possible 200. But the town was placed behind fellow gold winners Belper and Market Harborough, which both scored 174.
Coun Newton said: “I thought we had worked much harder this year and taken on board all of the points which the judges raised last year.
“I do think we upped our game a bit – the hanging baskets were lovely and the flowerbeds were reasonable.”
Spalding improved on their score of 170 in 2014.
“That two points doesn’t sound a lot, but it is,” added Coun Newton. “We’ll get together and look at the judges’ comments this year and see what we can do to try and come top next year.
“I’m extremely pleased with how we did and thankful for everyone’s efforts. There was a time in the early 90s when we won regularly but we then went a long time without winning so it’s very nice now.”
Spalding Town Forum vice-chairman Coun Jack McLean wants to see the gold achievements added to all “welcome” signs on the edge of town.
Others to win gold in the large town category were Boston and Long Eaton.
In the separate judges’ awards for the category, Spalding In Bloom was acknowledged for “floral enhancements at Springfields Retail Shopping Outlet”.
Crowland, Holbeach and Long Sutton were all awarded silver gilts in the small town category.
University Academy Holbeach sixth form student Casey Lenton (17) received a special judges’ award for “excellent research and iconic design of a sign for Holbeach Nature Reserve”.
The academy’s head of art Alistair Ruskin said she was one of four pupils on a Year 12 course to get involved with the project after Holbeach In Bloom approached the school.
He said: “I’m overwhelmed for her.”
There were also special mentions for Alison Littlechild (Crowland) for her “inspiring display of fruit and vegetable growing in her front garden” and Cowpers Gate Community Garden in Long Sutton for the “well designed and beautifully maintained site”.
Springfields Outlet Shopping and Festival Gardens won gold in best retail/commercial premises and The Punchbowl in New Road won silver gilt for best pub/hotel garden or display.
Meanwhile, in the Frank Constable MBE Award for best residential garden there was gold for Clare Wilson, of 34 Park Road, Spalding.
Gosberton House School was awarded gold in the best school garden category and The Priory School in Spalding received a discretionary award and silver gilt in best school fruit and vegetable garden.
