Woodbridge will be dressed
in its finery on the morning of 14th July when the Anglia in
Bloom judges will be touring the town to see the results of
how everyone from tiny tots to pensioners, commerce, schools
and local councils have been working together to improve and
enhance Woodbridge.
The tour will start at the Waterfront Café at 9.30am
and end at 12.30. The judges will be accompanied on their tour
by Julian Royle, Chair of Woodbridge in Bloom and many of the
committee members. The route will include a 30 minute visit
to Woodbridge Primary School to see the remarkable work the
children have done in their garden this year. Having entered
Anglia in Bloom since 1984, Woodbridge has achieved Best Small
Town on six occasions and the coveted Gold Award and a number
of Silver Gilt awards – so expectations are high.
A dedicated committee of local volunteers ensures that residents
and the business community are aware of the Anglia in Bloom
competition. The committee is receives invaluable assistance
from both Woodbridge Town Council and Suffolk Coastal District
Council who also provide the essential watering of our hanging
baskets & the seven cast iron planters (bought with the
financial support of Woodbridge Town Centre Management Limited).
The new skateboard park has proved to be a great success as
a focus for young people with energy to spare & has supplemented
the indoor facilities of Rochford House & the Fred Reynolds
Centre. Woodbridge in Bloom has been able, with the award of
a locality budget grant from County Councillor Page, to undertake
some repairs & the provision of new outdoor furniture for
the latter.
Other projects include the Conservation Area of Elmhurst Park
which provides a wildlife habitat whilst the fenced off area
around the magnificent copper beech is protecting the roots
from soil compaction. The appearance of this area contrasts
with the well-ordered park beds, which this year include a special
display (sponsored by Woodbridge in Bloom) celebrating the 150th
anniversary of the foundation of the International Fedaration
of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies following the Battle
of Solferino in 1859.
Woodbridge in Bloom continues to adopt Woodbridge Station and
plants and cares for the seven platform planters.
Local children are encouraged to get gardening through a schools
programme of growing & tending their own gardens, providing
habitats for wildlife and awareness of the need for recycling.
These activities are strongly demonstrated by both St Mary’s
& Woodbridge Primary School.
Development projects include the new Framfield Medical Centre
and surrounding land, which is being landscaped before being
presented to the town by Notcutts Garden Centres. Another recently
completed residential development is Lanyard Court which links
New Street & the Oak Lane car park and will include the
new Woodbridge library.
Woodbridge in Bloom are also in discussion with EDF Energy Networks
to take advantage of their, albeit financially limited, scheme
for placing unsightly electric cables underground. The work
they have completed in Bredfield Street has encouraged identification
of particular eyesores, notably Quay Street, Theatre Street
& Brook Street.
Woodbridge in Bloom also organises & judges a local gardens
competition in July.
In common with many towns in our country, some shops have been
forced to close due to the current financial crisis. We have
encouraged estate agents & owners to display posters in
empty premises designed by the local schools. It is planned
to include all the above features in addition to a passing visit
to one of the town’s main recycling centres in the judging
route.
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