Spondon in Bloom 2006

East Midlands in Bloom

The judging for this competition is now over with results announced on Wednesday 13^th September. Spondon continued its winning streak, scooping first prize in the "urban community" category and gaining a silver-gilt award. Once again, the contribution of the community was singled out as praiseworthy. But we cannot rest on our laurels....we have now been entered again in the Britain in Bloom competition in 2007! The Derby Evening Telegraph carried this report. You can also see the mention of our victory in the full Council meeting of Derby City Council here (if you don't want to watch all two hours, our bit is 8 minutes in!). You'll need Windows Media Player, which you can download here.

Congratulations to all Spondon entrants to the Derby in Bloom competitions.

SCAN article

The following article appeared in the May 2006 issue of SCAN.

"We have again entered Spondon in the East Midlands in Bloom Urban Community contest this year. Spondon will also be part of the Derby City entry in this contest. The judging will be held in early July. The route is still being planned. As usual, we have to stick very tightly to the two hours allotted judging time, so there is no way we can cover all of Spondon. However, we are going to try to include sites in the Stoney Cross area (south of the A52) this time, but will still cover the Village centre, West Park Nature Reserve and the allotments.

We are continuing to build on last year’s achievements. The completion of the Sensory Garden was our main objective this year and we are going to put out more plant containers, one of which will go outside the Edmund Road shops. The new Pub and Club competition should bring colour to your local this summer. This seemed to be a way of spreading the idea of Spondon in Bloom out from the village centre. Sponsors have been contacted for donations towards the winter and summer planting and part of an Area Panel grant will provide much of the cost of our hanging baskets this year.

Three new members have joined our committee bringing valuable skills in organising events and horticulture. We have joined forces with Borrow Wood Infants School in their efforts to interest children in growing food. One of their teachers (a member of our committee) has asked Spondon Horticultural Society to let the children have an allotment for a one year trial period. Two of our members will go into school and cook some food with the children.

Derby Community Safety Partnership has purchased a Tool Bank for us to keep for community use. Tools include such things as a wheelbarrow, spade and fork and safety wear. The tool bank is available for anyone to use on a local project.

2006 Spondon in Bloom competitions

Along with our usual Flower container competition this year, we are hoping to brighten up your local by encouraging the owners and managers to enter our competition for the above Cup. In July, the judges will be looking for a clean and tidy external appearance, with a good display of plants and flowers. (Please don’t apply for the job as one of the judges - we already have too many volunteers!)

Entry forms for the "pub and club challenge" have now gone out to all the pubs and clubs in Spondon. If we have missed out your premises, please us.

Entry forms for the Flowering Container competition were in the latest issue of SCAN. If you did not receive one, and we will try and get a copy to you. This will be judged in July, around the same time as the East Midlands in Bloom judging.

Open Gardens weekend

In 2005 we planned to run an “Open Gardens” weekend, but reluctantly abandoned the project when it became clear just how much work was involved in the Britain in Bloom competition. However, enough people expressed an interest in taking part that we are going to try again this year.

We are asking that you throw open your garden to the public for one or both days of the weekend of 15/16^th July; you can restrict the times to suit you. You can also boost the income for your chosen charity by running a tombola stall, selling refreshments or any other (legal!) method.

We will sell a combined ticket that will give access to all the “open” gardens. The proceeds of the ticket money will be split evenly between the VIC “Spondon in Bloom” fund and your chosen charities.

If you are interested in showing off your garden, and raising money for good causes, please use the form that was printed in SCAN and return it to 8 Park Road, Spondon. (Alternatively, leave it at the Library, Sitwell Street or Edmund Hall, Edmund Road.) If you did not receive one, and we will try and get a copy to you.

Postscript: this turned out to be a highly successful event with an estimated 200 people touring the gardens and open spaces. Over £650 was raised for the various "good causes".

Take a look at the other major VIC projects (support for the re-opening of Derby & Sandiacre Canal and the Village History Trail), the Severn-Trent clock or past and planned events.