Update JUNE 2014 Anniversary year sees entry record A RECORD 400 entrants will compete in the 2014 Southern Water South & South East in Bloom competition. 10% increase as more schools and To publicise that achievement a photocall took place on the hallowed neighbourhoods take part turf at Brighton & Hove Albion’s American Express Community Stadium, where the annual awards event will take place on 17 September. The football club’s head groundsman, Steve Winterburn, who welcomed Bloom chairman Peter Holman, celebrity gardener Chris Collins and Southern Water public affairs manager Andy Shaddick to the Amex, said: “I’m full of admiration for all those people who volunteer and take such a pride in helping to make their own part of CELEBRATES the south and south east somewhere SOUTH & SOUTH EAST IN BLOOM special to live, work and visit.” Of the 400 entrants in this year’s South & South East in Bloom, 130 are in the Its Your Neighbourhood category, 127 are schools and 90 are New poster to catch the eye parks. The Blooming Schools judging takes new poster has been created So it helps to serve as a gentle place this month and judging of all the for entrants to download from reminder to people to help you to other categories over three weeks from sseib.com. make things just right prior to the 30 June. AWhile you will all be very aware of judges’ arrival. Bloom chairman, Peter Holman, what needs to be done in the days The poster, available at the link said: “We’re excited to have hit the 400 running up to judging time, not below, also carries the specially- entry mark for the first time ever and it everyone in your neighbourhood, created graphic acknowledging the is particularly fitting in the year when town or village might know. 50th anniversary of Britain in Bloom. the national competition everyone is Bloom, celebrates its 50th anniversary. we are looking forward to Chris taking present our trophies and certificates to http://www.sseib.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/SSEiB-Posters-2014-A41.pdf ultimately striving to reach, Britain in “The Amex is a superb stadium and to the stage here in September to the successful competitors.”

2014 annual awards, 17 September, American Express Community Stadium, Brighton Update Two take Entrants turn judges for the day steps to bid his year’s spring seminars required of them to achieve good adopted a new approach which marks when the judges visit their own for glory generally went down well with towns and villages.” 2014 sees two firsts for business Tthose who attended. Delegates were also urged to improvement districts (BIDs). Entrants took on the mantle of judges consider entering the In the Spotlight Experience and Manor to find out exactly how they can award, to recognise efforts to obtain Royal in will be South improve their own medal chances. media coverage using traditional and & South East in Bloom’s first ever Eighty-five delegates from across the social media. BIDs when they are judged next region gathered in Chichester and 40 At Chichester, Sue Tattersall, of month. from and descended Upton in Bloom, explained how her And Britain in Bloom has agreed on the Kent village of Doddington group’s use of social media together to judge BIDs at national level for to find out what the judges would with gaining coverage in more the first time: those put forward be looking for in the annual traditional media had earned them by regions later this year will be challenge. the In the Spotlight award in 2013. included in the UK finals for the Aside from presentations everyone Sue urged others to enter the first time in 2015. was invited to take up a clipboard and new category explaining it was good David Shaw led a tour along the main village street It’s a category that has been marking sheet; in Chichester taking a for entrants, the sponsor and the in Doddington and (below, left) Britain in Bloom judged in other regions for a Federation chair Prunella Scarlett also joined in critical look around the city’s Bishops competition organisers to publicise number of years but hasn’t previously Palace Gardens, and in Doddington what they’re doing in their community been competed for in the South & taking a tour of the village, in both and to let opinion formers like MPs South East. cases with an eye to what level of know too. A BID is a defined area within award they might receive. Actual At the Doddington seminar, which businesses pay an additional judges were also on hand to check the Hythe resident Prunella Scarlett, tax (or levy) to fund projects within level of fairness of the scores. newly-appointed chair of the Britain the district’s boundaries. They were Bloom chairman, Peter Holman, in Bloom Federation, was a guest. The first seen in Canada as far back as said: “It bodes well for the standard of Federation is aiming to bring greater the 1970s. this year’s competition to know how cohesion to the way the country’s The BID is often funded primarily many entrants understood what’s regional Bloom groups operate. Chairman Peter Holman explains the marking process at Bishop’s Palace Gardens, Chichester through the levy but can also draw on other public and private funding streams. BID entries into the Bloom have New type of village entry their own adapted criteria with greater emphasis on business village with a difference we “For those with long memories, they participation. To enter, the area welcome this year could be the are almost of the same ilk as the post-war must be a current BID and be start of a category in its own right. garden city developments.” undertaking “greening and AThe relatively new self-contained The former West Malling airfield has community” activities. community called Kings Hill, near been transformed into one of the largest “BIDs are a great example of Maidstone, is being judged as one of 11 and most successful mixed-use how the Bloom is adapting to a village/town centre entries. developments in Europe. changing world,” said chairman “As the demand for new housing in Set in 800 acres of landscaped Peter Holman. “BIDs provide the south and south east grows, I expect parkland, Kings Hill has grown into a opportunities for regional Bloom many more new communities like thriving, complete village with a mix of organisations to engage with an ever Kings Hill to take an interest in the homes, employment, retail, education, widening audience.” Inside the walled Bishop’s Palace Gardens Examining the planting outside Doddington Village Hall competition,” said chairman Peter Holman. sports and leisure facilities. 2 Update Audrey’s childhood allotment days inspire neighbourhood award winners he award-winning gardeners at rationing; everybody grew vegetables Neighbourhood that last year they of Britain in Bloom. a sheltered housing and shared them. Two thirds of my were crowned champion of champions “We’re all people who love gardening,” complex have a post-war dad’s allotment in Liverpool was given having previously been judged ‘out- said Audrey. “Some people who move TLiverpool allotment holder to thank over to potatoes and all sorts of standing’ and earned a special RHS here have had large gardens of their for their inspiration. green vegetables like peas, beans and Britain in Bloom National Certificate own previously and they want to be For it was the prodigious plant marrows; the other third was blackberries, of Distinction. able to still enjoy sowing and growing and vegetable growing talents of her gooseberries, strawberries and black- Audrey and five of the residents things. father in austere times after the Second currants. each tend specific patches in the “In the summer, is really World War that engaged the young “He grew dahlias too and I’m picturesque grounds of the flats just another room, an oasis of peace Audrey Bish and inspired her to follow fascinated to see that they’re coming complex and others join in to do tasks where people can come and sit and enjoy in his footsteps. back into fashion. I learned all my like dead-heading. If there’s a special a cup of tea and some companionship. Audrey, now a support co-ordinator gardening skills from my father.” celebration one year, they’ll mark it It brings a lot of happiness.” for Sanctuary Retirement Living in Audrey’s infectious enthusiasm in some way, like their Olympic rings Audrey added: “There is something Farnborough, recalled: “I grew up on for gardening has paid dividends for arrangement of pots in 2012. very special about putting in seeds and an allotment....well, that’s how it felt, the garden group of residents from This year the judges can expect to creating something beautiful with all because I was always there. It was the Shaftesbury Court. They’ve been such see plenty of golden flowers as part of the brightly coloured flowers. It’s very Audrey Bish (right) collects an IYN award from Chris Collins in 2010 with garden group member June Ledger Dig for Victory time and the days of successful participants in It’s Your the celebration of the 50th anniversary therapeutic.” Falklands veteran to judge Ex-head Chris picks up the clipboard etired head teacher Chris “The children really benefitted from gardening, and also installed a pond, AF Service Community “I have a real passion for gardening some innovative things like converting Murphy is taking up the harvesting, cooking and eating food mini nature reserve, and a polytunnel, so Support Officer Joe Lambley- and particularly with our network of helicopter rotor boxes into flower clipboard as a South & South they grew themselves,” he said. “They classes of up to 30 could have lessons Steel is excited and honoured service persons and their families. beds, which I’m sure will be well REast in Bloom judge. learnt in a practical way about the outdoors. Rto become a South & South East in “It has been a great asset in keeping regarded. Chris spent 21 years in charge of journey of food and where it comes “I also think the staff developed Bloom judge. spirits high while loved ones are away “We also have an allotment patch, the multi-award winning Maidenbower from. their skills and knowledge too.” Joe, along with colleague Mandy on duty, and in keeping morale high flowers around the nursery and hanging Junior School in Crawley, , “We were able to implement So after so many years of driving Huckle, first entered RAF Odiham in among those on base.” baskets which all add colour and before retiring in August last year. after-school clubs which focused on forward sustainable gardening initiatives the SSEiB It’s Your Neighbourhood Joe celebrates his 40th year of decoration to the base.” During his tenure in charge he for youngsters, how does Chris feel category three years ago. service for the RAF this year, and in oversaw the implementation of a about becoming a SSEiB judge? The North Hampshire base won a 2011 was awarded the MBE by Prince gardening scheme at the new build “It’s great,” he added. “I’m looking level three ‘improving’ award that year Charles. site which led to the school winning forward to seeing lots of different gardens and swiftly followed that up with a He is also one of the last remaining seven consecutive Blooming Schools and horticultural developments. level four ‘thriving’ gong before active personnel to have served during gold awards. “I’ve got to be careful as a judge, claiming level five ‘outstanding’ last the Falklands War. Students and staff alike were but, where appropriate, I’ll be looking year. This year he will be leading RAF involved in numerous projects as the to pass on some of my years of experience And this year Joe will be able to use Odiham’s switch from an IYN entry to school focused on valuable life skills and knowledge, but I’m sure there are his experience of submitting successful an urban community entry, a move Joe such as healthy eating recycling, com- lots of great things being done already. entries in his role as judge. hopes will lead to greater competition posting, water conservation and other “Having the opportunity to see how “It’s great to be able to give something for his army of flower-mad volunteers. environmental issues. other schools are involving the children back to SSEiB,” he said. “It’s something “We’re looking to compete with Chris believes the hands-on nature of and the wider school community in that I have taken so much from, so it’s local towns and villages like nearby lessons for pupils was a key educational horticultural activities is both exciting fantastic to be able to help in any way. Alton,” he added. “We’ve done tool. and a privilege.” 3 Update TV gardener captivates Moulsecoomb Beware of FOG and schoolchildren ‘bag it and bin it’ wenty budding gardeners at a gardening rules. Brighton primary school had Pupil Maria, nine, said: “I remember nyone who’s been watching expert advice on sowing and the three Ds – remove dead, diseased Watermen: A Dirty Business Tgrowing when TV celebrity gardener or dying material. I liked how Chris on BBC2 recently will know Chris Collins popped in to give them planted the hanging basket.” ofA the problems that can be caused some valuable hints and tips. Pupil head gardener Colin, 10, by putting the wrong things down Chris, who has looked after BBC revels in the school’s extensive grounds plugholes, drains and toilets. TV’s Blue Peter garden for nine years, and was proud to show Chris garlic The six-part series followed the visited Moulsecoomb Primary School and onions he’s recently sown in some trials and tribulations faced daily by in Lewes Road, Brighton, for a special raised beds. teams from United Utilities but, Blooming Schools workshop. Chris said: “I lived in this area for unsurprisingly, our sponsor of 13 Members of the school’s gardening 10 years so it feels like I’ve come back years, Southern Water, has exactly

club listened intently as Chris first to my roots. I like this school and the Budding gardeners at Moulsecoomb Primary School get stuck in to making an edible hanging basket the same issues to overcome. our own bad habits in flushing the showed them how to sow lettuce seeds way they get the kids outdoors doing That’s why they have two specific wrong things down the loo. in a tray and then demonstrated how practical things. It’s very progressive in be able to show what can be achieved Southern Water public affairs manager campaigns in place to try to alleviate All UK water companies want to make a potage garden in a hanging that way.” through hard work and taking your Andy Shaddick added: “There are 127 the problems. customers to ‘Bag It and Bin It’ to basket, packing in herbs, fruit and Parent governor Warren Carter, chances in life. We’re a very outdoor schools across our region being judged Most of us use fat and oil in the help to prevent blockages that can flowers together. who runs the gardening club and after learning school and you have to be in Blooming Schools this month and preparation of food, but residual lead to homes being flooded and Chris put rosemary, chives and school clubs, said: “It’s brilliant to have clever to engage these children. Taking we’re looking forward to seeing how cooking oil, margarine, butter or lard waterways becoming polluted. pansies into the basket and got the someone like Chris, who knows this the curriculum outside the classroom well Moulsecoomb took on board often ends up being washed down Sewers and treatment works are youngsters to remember some golden area really well, come back here and reinforces the school’s ethos.” what Chris demonstrated.” the kitchen sink. built to deal with human waste and Fat, oil and grease (FOG) sticks water, yet every year in the UK we to the inside of drains and sewers. flush away two billion items that Over time, this hardens to form a shouldn’t go down the loo. youngsters sow seeds to remember concrete-like material that can block The only things that should be the entire pipe and cause flooding as flushed down the toilet are the three hildren from Banstead Junior School kept a tradition alive and sewage is forced to escape through Ps – pee, poo and paper. Toilet paper put poppy seeds donated by South & South East in Bloom to manholes and into streets and rivers decomposes naturally and can be good use. or, even worse, into homes. flushed away safely, but non- CIn 1921 Banstead Junior School was directed to become guardians of Blockages can cause toilets and biodegradable items, such as wet the war memorial erected in Banstead High Street to commemorate those sinks to back up and overflow, which wipes, should be put in the bin. men from the Surrey town who gave their lives for freedom in World War can be unpleasant, distressing and Wet wipes are one of the biggest One. expensive to clear. causes of blockages in sewers and at “The idea was that as a school full of young people there would always To prevent this pollution and wastewater treatment works. Even be representives for each generation to continue the guardianship,” devastation, follow the advice given wipes described as “flushable” cause explained the school’s Janet Marder. inthe panel underneath. blockages and the biodegradable Poppy seeds were sent free to schools and It’s Your Neighbourhood Every day our homes, beaches ones often don’t spend long enough entries earlier in the year and Janet said it was agreed theirs would be and rivers come under threat from in the sewer to start to decompose. sown at the Banstead war memorial. Countryside rangers, the local council Parks Department, a local historian For more information: http://www.southernwater.co.uk/at-home/ and British Legion members helped and Janet added: “The children were your-wastewater/pain-in-the-drain/ very excited about their outing and understood the reasoning behind the relevance of the poppy and our school connection with the war memorial.” Banstead Junior School pupils keep a tradition alive at the town’s war memorial

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