2013

Cultivating Pride in our Town

Contents

Page No.

1. Introduction 1

2. Achievements 2011-12 3 2.1. Horticultural Achievement (A) 3 2.1.1. Impact (A1) 3 2.1.2. Horticultural Practice (A2) 6 2.1.3. Residential and Community Gardening (A3) 8 2.1.4. Business Areas and Premises (A4) 13 2.1.5. Green Spaces (A5) 15

2.2. Environmental Responsibility (B) 17 2.2.1. Conservation and Biodiversity (B1) 17 2.2.2. Resource Management (B2) 21 2.2.3. Local Heritage (B3) 21 2.2.4. Local Environmental Quality (B4) 22 2.2.5. Pride of Place (B5) 22

2.3. Community participation 23 2.3.1. Development and Continuity (C1) 23 2.3.2. Communication and Education (C2) 23 2.3.3. Community Participation (C3) 24 2.3.4. Year-round Involvement (C4) 26 2.3.5. Funding and Support (C5) 26

3. Proposals July 2013 - June 2014 26

4. Sponsors, Supporters and Contacts 27

Above - Alison Pearson (SNIB) and Deputy Mayor Andrew Hansard with SNIB's first Gold Award 11/09/12

1. Introduction After last year's late summer of glorious floral displays in and our first ever Anglia in Bloom Gold Award, the long, cold winter which dragged on into spring was particularly disappointing. On the positive side, when the 'winter' floral displays finally flourished in May, they added to the displays of spring perennials producing lots of colour. However, nurseries had to delay delivery of summer bedding so planting didn't start until 10th June, coinciding with a dry spell! Horticulture is often challenging and this year is proving to be particularly awkward!

Abbreviations used throughout the document HDC - District Council SNTC - St Neots Town Council ESCA - Eatons Community Association EVA - Eynesbury Village Association LFCA - Love's Farm Community Association

Judging area The judging area for St Neots in Bloom covers the St Neots Town Council electoral wards of St Neots , St Neots Eaton Ford, St Neots Priory Park, St Neots East and St Neots Eynesbury. Continued occupation of the developing Love's Farm housing estate in St Neots East ward, has brought the electoral role to approximately 22,875.

Priory Park Ward

Eaton Ford Ward East Ward

Eaton Socon Ward

Eynesbury Ward

(Ward boundaries are shown in pink)

- 1 - Community St Neots continues to expand, with more houses being built at Love's Farm and off Barford Road. St Neots in Bloom maintains contact with the expanding communities through community groups, 'Friends' groups, schools and the local media. St Neots in Bloom decided not to promote a colour theme this year, which enables the local authorities to be more flexible in their plant selection and business and individuals to show off their own colour-co-ordinating skills. We look forward to another summer of colourful displays around the town.

Committee for 2013 Officers: Chair - Alison Pearson (Chair of meetings, portfolio and route planning co-ordinator, media and promotions.) Vice-chairman - Tom McCormick (Local businessman and school governor) Hon. Treasurer - Anne Tubridy (Adult special needs liaison) Hon. Secretary - Lin Buck (Schools liaison).

Committee members: Katie Baldwin (Bpha's Community Officer at Love's Farm) Ian Webb (Commercial Frontage Award judge, photographer) Rini Patel (Love's Farm representative, website developer) Stuart Carter (Commercial Frontage Award judge)

Allocated St Neots Town Councillor on the committee: Councillor Barry Chapman - May 2013 - 2014.

Above - Vibrant colour at Jubilee Garden last summer. 28/07/12

- 2 - 2. Achievements 2012 - 2013 2.1. Horticultural Achievement (A) 2.1.1. Impact (A1) On the following pages are pictures of some of our wonderful local authority displays from late summer 2012 through to late spring 2013. The judges will be shown most of 2013's summer displays during their tour of the town on July 17th, so they are not included here.

Late summer 2013

Right - One of many glorious hanging baskets (SNTC). 28/07/12

Left - St Neots Garden of Rest (SNTC). 15/08/12

Right - Eynesbury Green (SNTC). 28/08/12

Above - St Mary's Church, Eynesbury (SNTC). 28/08/12

Right - St Mary's Church, St Neots, memorial Garden. (SNTC) 13/08/12

- 3 - Left - Stunning colour at Eaton Socon Green, despite the wet summer! 25/08/13

Below - Bright entrance to The Paddocks. (HDC) 17/08/13

Spring 2013

The winter floral displays held a lot of promise but the long, hard winter took its toll. Bulbs were very slow to flower, particularly the tulips, which didn't come out until the hyacinths were over. Still, better late than never!

Right - Wonderful wallflowers at Priory Lane car park. (HDC). 15/05/13

Left - St Neots Garden of Rest. (SNTC) 16/04/13

Below - The tulips finally joined the show! 06/05/13

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Right - Spring cheer at Eaton Ford Green

(SNTC) 14/03/13

Below - Two contrasting displays at Eaton

Socon Green. (SNTC) 14/03/13

Left - Colourful display at Jubilee Garden. (SNTC) 16/05/13

Right - Spring colour at Eynesbury Green. (SNTC) 06/05/13

Below - Bright splash of colour at The Paddocks. (HDC) 06/05/13

- 5 - 2.1.2. Horticultural practice (A2) Rain, rain and more rain over the summer of 2012 tested the patience of all grounds maintenance staff! In St Neots the conditions were suitable for Antirrhinum rust which devastated several displays. A decision was taken to cut out the affected plants rather than use a fungicide, in line with SNTC policy of minimal pesticide use. Grass cutting was also difficult although SNTC staff were able to take advantage of the few dry days to keep their cut grass under control. HDC's restricted grass cutting policy, introduced in 2012, proved controversial with residents in several areas. As a result, SNTC has taken over maintenance of several HDC residential areas in order to provide a more regular grass cutting regime. Water retaining gel is usually added to hanging baskets by SNTC, along with slow release feed (blood, fish and bonemeal). Weekly inspection, dead heading and weeding of bedding displays is carried by SNTC and at longer intervals by HDC. All SNTC planters have inbuilt water wells to reduce wastage. The Memorial Garden at St Mary's Parish Church continued to be improved. A mowing edge was installed in front of the raised bed. A small rectangle of grass at the entrance was replaced with more practical paving slabs. For the Remembrance Day Parade, stepping stones were placed in the central border to enable the flag bearers to walk onto the grass without treading on the bedding plants. The slabs were replaced with plants after the parade.

Above left - New mowing edge to raised bed. Above right - New entrance paving to Parish Church Memorial Garden. Above centre - Temporary stepping stones. All pictures from 25/10/12

The permanent planting at Jubilee Garden is our nomination for a Special Award for a Drought/Sustainable Garden this year. Refurbished in March 2012, the raised bed flourished during last summer and has continued to deliver despite the hard winter. Maintenance has been minimal; light weeding and deadheading from late summer to early winter, followed by a more thorough trim of dead foliage in March 2013. There were only 2-3 winter casualties.

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Left and below - Exuberant flowers at Jubilee Garden in early autumn. (SNTC). 20/10/12

Above - Hellebores. 08/04/13

Left - April sunshine on emerging plants. 16/04/13

Left - Foliage and flowers. 06/05/13

Below - Geraniums providing nectar for a bumblebee (centre). 03/06/13

- 7 - Jubilee Garden has a complimentary bedding display, along with several barrier baskets and tubs, which will be viewed on judging day.

Tree planting, including a Royal Oak to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, has continued in Priory Park with the support of the Priory Park Friends Group - see Section 2.3.3 for more details. Royal Oaks were also planted at Barford Road Pocket Park thanks to the generosity of the Chairman of Huntingdonshire District Council, Councillor Barbara Boddington. She donated Royal Oaks to all the parks in Huntingdonshire.

Right - St Neots Mayor, Barry Chapman and Councillor Barbara Boddington planting a Royal Oak. 18/04/13 (photo courtesy of SNTC)

2.1.3. Residential and Community Gardening (A3) Allotments and community gardening Rowley Allotments in Mill Lane did not hold an open day in 2012, which was probably just as well given the soggy conditions throughout the summer!

For the third year running, St Neots in Bloom sponsored the Floral Art category for the St Neots and District Gardening Club's Annual Show in August 2012, to raise awareness of the campaign. The club's principle aim is to improve the horticultural skills of its members. We are sponsoring the same show category this year.

Right - Winner of the ''Charles Dickens Novel" category.

Left - Visitors and produce .

Below - "A Glass of Jubilee Cheer" category. All pictures 12/08/12

- 8 - Private gardens St Neots in Bloom has continued to encourage private gardeners to take care of their front gardens, through its Best Front Garden competition (See Section 2.3.3). There are many good examples and the judges will be shown some during their tour. ESCA also encourages local gardeners to share their enthusiasm by holding an annual Open Gardens event to raise money for charity. This year's event took place on 16th June.

Above and right - Three of the Open Gardens in the Eatons this year. 16/06/13

Below - Plants for pollinators in an Eaton Ford garden 17/06/13

Above - Courtyard colour in the town centre. 17/06/13

- 9 - Public areas

St Mary's Parish Church, St Neots Above - The Memorial Garden was a hit with passers-by last summer! (SNTC) 13/08/12 Below left - Cheerful daffodils in the churchyard. (SNTC) 17/04/13 Below centre - Hyacinths and violas in the memorial garden (SNTC) 17/04/13.

Below right - Tulips extending the floral display. (SNTC) 06/05/13

Eaton Socon Green (SNTC) Left and below - Eaton Socon War Memorial in late summer. 25/08/13

- 10 - St Mary's Church, Eynesbury (SNTC) Below left - Dazzling late summer 2012 colour at. 28/08/12 Below right - Newly planted summer 2013 display. 18/06/13

St Neots Cemetery (SNTC) Below left - Maturing shrub beds in the new grass cemetery. 18/06/13 Below right - Immaculate grounds of the main cemetery.. 18/06/13

Left - Spring colour at Eynesbury Methodist Church's garden. 09/05/13

Above - Some of the permanent planting in Above - Permanent planters at New the High Street seating area. (HDC). 17/06/13 Street Baptist Church. 17/06/13 - 11 - School grounds St Neots in Bloom's schools liaison, Lin Buck, maintains contact with local schools of all kinds through her newsletter and personal contact. It is great that so many education establishments include gardening in someway. Here is a summary of activities over the last year. Apricot Nursery has four garden areas. Bulbs are planted for the springtime and the children take part in a sunflower competition. There is a natural garden with log piles, insect houses and bird boxes. Their next venture is to grow tomatoes. A willow tunnel has been constructed at Eaton Socon Pre-school with the help of Hinchingbrooke Country Park. The vegetable garden has onions, potatoes and peas growing and the herb patch has mint and rosemary. The children have grown beans in jars and have now taken them home to plant. Bedding plants were planted in mid-June. Little Acorns Pre-school has large tyres in which to grow flowers. It also has strawberries growing. The children visit the eco-patch at Ernulf Academy. Meanwhile, Montagu Square Day Nursery’s main project this year is to re-seed a very muddy patch of ground. They also have insect boxes outside the building. Orchards Day Nursery has a small outdoor area where the children have grown flowers and individual sunflowers. The children loved watching the butterflies emerge from a butterfly basket. Priory Park Play Group is still having trouble with rabbits! They have tried growing plants in plastic bottles attached to a wall. Future plans include creating raised rabbit proofed beds in a newly developed garden area. Above - Pots of flowers at Orchard Treetops Day Nursery has a vegetable patch with Nursery. 15/036/13 beans, strawberries, peas, carrots, onions and lettuces. The children like to look after the plants and certainly enjoy eating the produce! At Bushmead Primary School parents and grandparents have been helping out with the gardening activities at the school. They have planted vegetables in the gardening area. Each class has planted a flower pot and there are hanging baskets outside the building. 2013's plan at Priory Park Infant School includes the creation of a new sensory garden. Trees from the Woodland Trust have been planted around the edge of the school field. The tree donated by St Neots in Bloom is still thriving in the Imaginarium. Members of the Gardening Gang still meet after school on a Monday at St Mary's C of E Primary School. The willow bower is being maintained and watered. There is a vegetable garden where vegetables and flowers are grown to attract insects. One project this year is creating African bag gardens. These are used in Uganda and lots of seeds are planted in a small bag which requires very little water to encourage growth. All the materials used were recycled; the soil, the seeds, the old potato bags, the hazel twigs and the CDs. Each class has their own gardening area to grow vegetables and flowers. A new project is the Above - African bag gardens. (picture supplied by school, date not known) development of an Art Shed which will have planters around it to attract insects.

- 12 - The sixth form at Samuel Pepys School has a horticulture group running every Tuesday afternoon. All the vegetable patches are coming on well and the greenhouse is choc- a block. The sensory garden is nearing completion. Each class is planting up troughs and watering with the help of nearby water pumps. A newly constructed polytunnel will provide more growing space.

Car parks After St Neots in Bloom's less than successful experiment with wildflowers around the decorative screens at Riverside Park car park, HDC expanded the planting area and put in perennials in spring 2013. This should provide a colourful display once it has matured. Most of the car parks in St Neots have shrub beds around them, well mulched with wood chips to help reduce weeds and keep in moisture. A raised bed in the centre of the Priory car park is planted with annuals each year along with two small beds at Tebbutts Road car park.

Left - Entrance screens at Riverside Park car park were enhanced with new planting in spring 2013. (HDC). 17/06/13

Right - Well maintained shrubs at Tan Yard car park. (HDC). 17/06/12

Left - Coneygeare car park in Eynesbury. (HDC). 18/06/12

- 13 - 2.1.4. Business Areas and Premises (A4) St Neots in Bloom's annual Commercial Frontage Awards (baskets and containers) has continued to encourage businesses to enhance the public areas of their premises. Judging took place on 15th July 1012 and the overall winner was the Pig N Falcon pub, with a stunning, patriotic display.

Left - A delighted Pig N Falcon manager Mark Nightingale, receives the winner's certificate for Best Commercial Frontage 2012. 02/08/13

Below - Gorgeous High Street display at the Crown Inn. 09/08/13

Despite the tricky winter conditions, a number of businesses around town had winter/spring floral displays. Others have perennial displays.

Waggon and Horses winter Below - Part of Cup Cakes baskets:- Coffee Shop seasonal Right - Early Spring 03/05/13 Below - Mid-winter 16/02/13 display. 17/12/12

Right - Colour co-ordinated display at the bridal shop, Tan Yard. 29/04/13

- 14 - Far left - One of two Waitrose planters maintained by staff volunteers 01/04/13

Left - Newly planted summer display. 10/06/13

Left - Winter baskets at the Pig n Falcon. 17/05/13

Above - Daffodils at Anglia Co-Operative Funeral Directors Right - Colourful entrance to 28/03/13 Kingfisher Independent Funeral Services. 18/06/13

2.1.5. Green Spaces (A5) St Neots has two major public park areas, Riverside Park and Priory Park. Both are maintained by HDC. Priory Park is supported by the Priory Park Friends' Group (PPFG), set up in 2010. The group's principle aim is "To protect and enhance the Park as an open, green space for the enjoyment of all." They received a SNIB Environmental Improvement Certificate in November 2012 (See section 2.3.3) for their work and have continued to make improvements to the park. As a result St Neots in Bloom is nominating their work for a Special Award for Best Community Project and Priory Park for Best Public Open Space. Here are some of the improvements made to the park since last July. More details will be available during the judges visit. Planted 950 tree and hedge whips, and 1500 English Bluebell bulbs. Planted two bands of meadow flower seeds. - 15 - Installed a Coronation Jubilee Bench in the northwest corner of the park. Planted a Coronation Jubilee Oak near the fitness trail. Resurfaced more paths with wood chip. Nominated for an HDC Green Heart Award in June 2013.

Left - Planting of Royal Oak. (HDC) 16/02/13

Above - New Coronation Bench donated by PPFG. 02/05/13

Left - Results of a litter pick. 11/05/13

Large parts of Riverside Park remained soggy throughout the second half of 2012 and into 2013. This did not prevent some of the activities taking place in this popular park. The park is also one of the most accessible for close encounters with wildlife, from the almost tame variety of ducks and mute swans to the more elusive flash of blue from a kingfisher.

Above and right - Crowds enjoying the Band Marathon hosted by St Neots Town Council. 12/09/12

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Left - Autumnal colour at Riverside Park. 22/10/12 Right - Getting up close and personal with the wildlife! 02/11/12

Left- Regatta Meadow starting to flood 21/12/12.

Right - Flooding didn't seem to bother the daffodils in the park, which still put on a good show. 08/04/13

The Pightle Millennium Green trustees supported by the Pals of the Pightle have continued to work hard over the last year. The Pightle became a Queen Elizabeth II Field in 2012 which has helped the trust obtain further funding and site protection. New information boards are now in and looking good. The bee habitats have bees in them. The Community Payback team has continued to help out with moving bark chippings to improve the paths. Volunteers have also planted bulbs and installed benches. Two classes of reception children from Bushmead Primary School came down one morning and used magnifying sheets and insect nets for a very successful outdoor lesson. The Girl Guides have been coming in for activities and a campfire whilst Eynesbury School wants to use The Pightle for activities as well.

Left and below - The Pightle volunteers bulb planting. 09/11/12

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Right - installing a new seat at The Pightle. 26/10/12

Left - Newly installed Queen Elizabeth II Field 16/02/13

2.2. Environmental Responsibility (B) 2.2.1. Biodiversity and Conservation (B1) St Neots in Bloom is continuing to support wildlife conservation wherever possible. The St Neots Swift Conservation project of 2012 was a success, against all the odds. Breeding was rather late with one youngster in the nest when Dick Newell checked the boxes on 13th August. Late breeding continued in 2013, with swifts arriving in St Neots roughly a week late. Small groups were immediately attracted to the old warehouse and Church Tower though.

Above - Inspecting the Church Above - Newly developed warehouse with tower boxes. 13/08/12 12 purpose-made swift boxes installed under the barge boards. 16/05/13

The project is our nomination for Best Conservation Project on the basis of the number of occupied nest boxes at the two sites in 2013. A survey by Action for Swifts volunteers took place on 12th June and recorded at least 4 warehouse boxes in use and five Church Tower boxes in use. More details will be available on judging day.

There are Common Rights governing the activities and management of St Neots Common, which is bisected by a road. The largest and most biodiverse areas are Islands Common and Lammas Meadow. Along with a woodland to the north of Lammas Meadow, they are largely protected by Site of Special Scientific Importance designation and managed under guidance from Natural , The Wildlife Trusts for Beds, Cambs and Northants and HDC. - 18 -

Left - View south across Islands Common. 07/06/13

Right - early Marsh Orchid on Lammas Meadow. 07/06/13

Plants are the key reason for the SSSI designation and this year record numbers of Early Marsh Orchid have been recorded (over 600!), attracting more visitors than normal to Lammas Meadow. Islands Common and Lammas Meadow are managed to retain plant diversity as well as proving an income for the Common Rights holders. Hay is cut from Lammas Meadow after which the cattle which graze Island Common most of the year, are allowed in for a few months. Common Ragwort has to be kept under control and last year HDC Countryside Services held several ragwort pulling session with volunteers clocking up 200 volunteer hours!

Right - Staff and volunteers after a ragwort pulling session. Sept 2012.

Sudbury Meadow received its second Green Flag Community Award in July 2012. Everyone was delighted, and volunteers from Waitrose joined in the celebrations. The conservation area is our nomination for a Special Award for Biodiversity. Successes over the last year included:- Log and vegetation piles continuing to be popular with grass snakes over the summer. Masses of flowers in gardens in late summer 2012 for all insects.

Left -Volunteers celebrating their Green Flag Community Award on a hot July day. 25/07/12

Areas of the shrubbery coppiced to create open spaces and other shrubs pollarded. Solitary bee boxes literally buzzing this spring! More required. Plenty of fruit blossom for early bees, including solitary bees. - 19 - Becoming a haven for moles. Tree bumble bees nesting in a bird box I June 2013, fortunately at the bottom of the site

Above left- Home grown insect-attracting annuals flourishing in the Bird Garden. 09/09/12 Above right - Daffodils for early insects. 28/03/13

RHS 'Edible Britain' seeds sown in the raised vegetable beds of the Butterfly Garden. Birds breeding in the hedgerows and nest boxes, including Great Tit and Blackcap. Annual flowers sown in the Butterfly Garden for insects.

Above - Apple blossom. 09/05/13

Above - Solitary bee boxes. Bees too small to see here,but there were a dozen or more. 04/05/13

Left - Mini meadow in the Bird Garden. 01/06/13

Barford Road Pocket Park lies at the southern end of town on the eastern bank of the river. It is owned by HDC and managed by Countryside Service Ranger, Matt Hall with a small team of volunteers. The site is a magnet for wildlife, but is also heavily used for recreation, particularly by dog-walkers. Over the last six months Matt and his team have had to install a fence around the children's play area to prevent dog fouling. They have also done extensive coppicing. The 1st Eaton Socon Scout Group has also been using - 20 - the park. They started with stream dipping and meadow sweeping, then came back for a willow bashing work party in October! They are continuing to come along helping to make shelters in the park in June this year. The major task for July 2013 will be the construction of a viewing platform overlooking the conservation lake, hopefully enabling people to see Water Rail, Redshank and Snipe.

Left and above - fencing the play area at Barford Road Pocket Park. Late summer 2012.

Below - Willow bashing, aquatic style! 25/11/12

2.2.2. Resource Management (B2) Huntingdonshire as a whole continues to excel in its recycling efforts. During 2012-13, 56.06% of door-step collected waste throughout the District was recycled. 26.18% was dry recycling, including glass, (18292 tonnes), 29.87% was garden waste (20869 tonnes). Due to the increased scope of kerbside collection, recycling banks in public places are limited to clothing, media and several WEEE banks. ESCA has a Community Textile Bank outside Tesco Express in Eaton Socon, using funds raised to help local community groups. St Neots Recycling Centre off Cromwell Road, run by Cambs. County Council, takes a huge range of household waste for recycling, including videos, electrical goods and chemicals. It also has maturing shrubs, planted for the benefit of wildlife.

Left - Maturing shrubs at St Neots Recycling Centre. 18/06/13

- 21 - Both local authorities recycle their green waste from bedding and basket displays. Grass cuttings are cut finely and left to break down in situ. HDC chips its woody waste and recycles it for paths as well as leaving it for members of the public to collect at strategic places in the District (see Priory Park, Section 2.1.5). SNTC uses gravel mulch around permanent planting to conserve moisture and discourage weeds. This was expanded in June 2013 to include new gravelled sections on Eaton Ford Green and Eynesbury Green. HDC use wood chips for the same purpose. Plastic hanging baskets and planters have water reservoirs to limit run-off. In October SNTC trialled recycling summer bedding plants through Friends of Sudbury Meadow. Rudbeckias and Verbena bonariensis were amongst the giveaways. It was a success and raised about £100 in donations for the voluntary group.

Right - Bags of colourful tender perennials ready to give to residents at Sudbury Meadow. 20/10/12

2.2.3. Local Heritage (B3) ESCA launched its latest history booklet at its annual history exhibition in St Mary's Church, Eaton Socon during a weekend of May Day celebrations. 'The Eatons Then and Now Book 2', written as always by Sue Jarrett, features past and present photos of scenes around Eaton Socon and Eaton Ford and raises funds for the ESCA projects. Sue has also contributed extensively to the new-look Community Archive website. On June 16th, Eaton's Socon's village lockup (The Cage) built in 1897 was open as part of ESCA's Open Gardens afternoon. Above - May Day celebrations at Eaton Socon Green. 06/05/13

St Neots will be celebrating its medieval past in late July with a Medieval Fair in the Market Square, organised by partners St Neots Museum and SNTC. Authentic music, battle demonstrations and a Medieval Market are just some of the attractions promised. St Neots Museum has also started gathering local people's information about World War 1 for a 2014 exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of the war's start. EVA hosted a very successful St George's day event at the Coneygeare on 21st April which attracted large crowds.

Above - St George's Day celebrations at the Coneygeare. 21/04/13 (Photo courtesy of EVA) - 22 - 2.2.4. Local Environmental Quality (B4) Maintaining street cleanliness, controlling dog fouling, removing graffiti on public items and removing fly-posting is largely the responsibility of HDC. Street cleansing in the town centre is carried out Monday-Friday by a full time employee. St Neots in Bloom encourages residents and businesses to clean up their frontages, through press releases and annual competitions. St Neots Town Council litter picks and empties waste bins at least once a week throughout its sites, with popular sites having two clean-ups. Priory Park Friends Group organised a litter pick in the park in May - See section 2.1.5. St Neots in Bloom has continued trying to find out who, if anyone, is the owner of a small triangle of land next to the flood prevention scheme culvert at the River Bridge. Local Authorities seem reluctant to accept responsibility for vegetation management, although SNTC has kindly taken on a monthly litter pick. ESCA continues to run its Neat Street competition and last year the standards of the entered streets was so high that three awards were made. Sambar Close won overall and special certificates were awarded to Hanover Court and Spencer Court.

Left and right - Neat Street winners at Sambar Close, Eaton Socon. Late summer 2012.

2.2.5. Pride of Place (B5) Much to the delight of everyone County Council refurbished the main River Bridge last year. The structure was repaired, stonework replaced and railings painted. It caused a bit of pedestrian disruption but was worth it in the end.

Above - Refurbished River Bridge. 17/06/13

Far left - New interpretation board at Regatta Meadow. 19/04/13

Left - Another new board at an entrance to Riverside Park. 17/06/13

HDC has added to its Interpretation boards around St Neots green spaces with new ones at Regatta Meadow, Hen Brook, Priory Park and Riverside Park.

- 23 - 2.3. Community Participation (C) 2.3.1. Development and Continuity (C1) As a fully constituted, voluntary group, St Neots in Bloom is dependent on the good will and time of its elected committee. By holding an open AGM every year, there is an opportunity for new people to join and community ideas to be gathered. The campaign focuses on promoting and supporting the initiatives of other groups, rather than creating duplicates, which ensures the continuity of projects. Its own projects are only developed if they are sustainable, either financially or in-kind. 2.3.2. Communication and Education (C2) St Neots in Bloom has continued to promote its campaign over the last twelve months. Press coverage has been reasonably good (our Media Folder will be available for the judges' tour) and the local website, Aboutmyarea.co.uk/PE19, has helped promote the campaign. Articles have also been included on Love's Farm Community Association's website. A St Neots in Bloom website www.snib.btik.com has been developed by Rini Patel with help from Alison Pearson, whilst our Facebook page, managed by Katie Baldwin and Ian Webb, is gradually attracting more 'likes'. Last year's certificates have been added to the display at The Priory Centre to help promote the initiative.

Left - A wall in the Priory Centre café has been set aside for St Neots in Bloom certificates and trophies, providing permanent publicity for the campaign. 12/06/13

Articles promoting the campaign have been published in 'ESCAN', ESCA's newsletter and in EVA's newsletter as well as the new SNTC newsletter 'Your Town'. All schools have been kept up-to-date through mail shots, e-mail and phone calls from our schools liaison, Lin Buck. Alison Pearson continues to represent St Neots in Bloom at the Town Centre Initiative's Redevelopment and Environment Group. She also provides information for its Promotion and Tourism group, attending meetings when appropriate. Lin Buck and Alison also represented St Neots in Bloom at SNTC's Town Team meeting held in February, joining 80 other business and community representatives to discuss ways to improve the High Street and draw people in.

2.3.3. Community Participation (C3) ESCA has been busy over the last year, improving the visual impact of the Eatons. A number of enhancements were made to the closed church yard of St Mary's Eaton Socon; a joint project with St Neots Town Council, which now manages the churchyard, and Church representatives. Improvements included the removal of ivy from gravestones, clearing trees from the tomb of the Head of Eaton Socon Academy, tidying it up and repainting the ironwork railings, and a clear up of an entrance to the churchyard. The Church also has a new 'Groundforce' style team which has been working to keep the ornamental plant beds tidy. - 24 -

Above left - Just overgrown ivy?. (25/09/12) Above right - No, actually seven gravestones which emerged with help from ESCA volunteers! (10/11/12)

ESCA joined forces with Eaton Socon Beavers in November 2012 to plant daffodil bulbs donated by St Neots Town Council, at Eaton Ford Green. The Community group has also just taken over maintenance of a group of planters in Monarch Road, which volunteer Brian Payne is no longer able to manage.

Above - Eaton Socon Beavers hard at work planting bulbs. 12/11/13

Brian received one of the new St Neots in Bloom Environment Improvement Certificates in November 2012, for his efforts to keep roads close the green space opposite his house neat and tidy. The two other recipients were Geoff Matthews and Priory Park Friends Group. Geoff has helped to brighten up St Mary's Churchyard in St Neots by donating many bulbs to St Neots Town Council which maintains the closed Above - Recipients of Environmental Improvement cemetery. Priory Park Friends Group Awards, (left to right) Geoff Matthews, Brian Payne and Paul Davies (Chairman PPFG). was recognised for its efforts to improve biodiversity and access to Priory Park.

A new team of judges is set to assess the entries to St Neots in Bloom's Best Front Garden competition in 2013 which will take place between 13th and 20th July. There were twelve gardens to view last year and winner Barbara Braybrook is joining this years judging team.

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Right & below- 1st prize winner, Barbara Braybrook and her lovely front garden. 01/08/12

Left - 2nd prize winner Martin Cox in his brightly coloured garden. rd Below - 3 prize winner Cynthia Hilsdon 02/08/12

Volunteer Christine Elmes has moved out of St Neots, but continues to maintain the Andy Newbery Memorial Garden at St Neots Police Station. Its not open to the public but provides a much appreciated rest place for the staff.

Tara Skey of Eynesbury is continuing to maintain the strip of land between her garden and a public footpath.

Right - Views of Tara's colourful public planting. 10/06/13

- 26 - 2.3.4. Year-Round Involvement (C4) St Neots in Bloom has maintained year-round interest in the campaign through press releases, articles and its annual competitions and awards, as detailed throughout this portfolio. A display of publicity items will be available for the judges to see after their tour.

2.3.5. Funding and Support (C5) Through careful financial management, St Neots in Bloom has not needed to fundraise to a great extent again this year. Waitrose has donated a further £450 to St Neots in Bloom in return for their advertising lamppost inserts being installed for the summer. Roundabout maintenance - the large roundabouts on the A428 are maintained by the Highways Agency, but sponsorship is co-ordinated by St Neots Town Centre Management Group. Chairman John Davies, continues to support St Neots in Bloom using his cross-county contacts to help ensure they continue to be maintained to a good standard.

Above - Cambs. County Council maintained roundabout in Eynesbury, funded by sponsorship. 18/06/13

St Neots Town Council - Funded entry to Anglia in Bloom, hanging baskets, bedding displays and the refurbishment of Jubilee Garden. Its grounds maintenance team continues to work hard keeping their grounds clean, tidy and cared for, supporting our campaign wherever possible. Huntingdonshire District Council staff continue to support the In Bloom campaign through bedding displays, street cleansing and public park maintenance. HDC Countryside Service Rangers have also helped, maintaining key wildlife sites and providing new open space information boards around the town in early 2013.

3. Proposals July 2013 - June 2014 Continue to work with local authorities to maintain public floral displays through the coming year whilst coping with budget cut-backs. Continue efforts to engage with the growing population. Continue to support local biodiversity wherever possible. Continue to have an input to the development and offer of St Neots through several Town Centre Initiative sub-groups and the Town Team.

- 27 - 4. Sponsors, Supporters and Contacts Sponsors and supporters (Financial and in-kind) Huntingdonshire District Council. St Neots Town Council. The Priory Centre. Waitrose. St Neots Town Centre Management Group. ESCA (Eaton's Community Association) and Chairman, Sue Jarrett. EVA (Eynesbury Village Association). Love's Farm Community Association. Friends of Sudbury Meadow. The Pightle Millennium Green trustees. Cambridgeshire County Council Highways. Environment Agency. PE19 website. St Neots and District Gardening Club T. L. Cobbold (funeral directors) - Best Front Garden sponsorship John Banks, HFR Banks and Son (Nursery supplying St Neots Town Council Barbara Braybrook (Best Front Garden judge) Christine Elmes (Volunteer at Police Memorial Garden). Shirley Dickinson (Media Archive). Anne Emblem (Commercial Frontage judge)

Non- committee photo providers for portfolio:- Grainne Farrington Sue Jarrett Judith Johnson Del Pearson Priory Park Friends Group St Neots Town Council EVA Orchard Day Nursery St Mary's C of E Primary School HDC

- 28 - St Neots in Bloom Contacts

Lin Buck - Hon. Secretary 4 Clover Road, Eaton Socon, St Neots, PE19 8HD Tel: 01480 383381 Email: [email protected]

Alison Pearson - Chairperson 4 Kipling Place, Eaton Ford, St Neots. PE19 7RG Tel: 01480 374792 Mob: 07771 712934 Email: [email protected]

Tom McCormick - Vice-chairman Mob: 07900 337675

Above - High rise view of the Memorial Garden in St Mary's Churchyard (SNTC). 13/08/13

Cultivating Pride in our Town

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