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Baskets blow to bloom bid
A DECISION to withdraw funding for floral hanging basket displays has met with resounding criticism from members of Malvern in Bloom, who are bidding to bring the town its third consecutive gold award.
Members of the town's Heart of England in Bloom steering group have been left shocked by Malvern Hills District Council's decision, which means there will be no hanging baskets in Priory Park this year, saving the authority around £3,000.
The steering group, which comprises councillors, residents, and representatives from groups such as the Malvern Hills Conservators and Malvern Spa Association, has deliberately entered Malvern into the large town' section of the competition this year, in a bid to get more of the community involved and make it the town's biggest and best bid to date.
Last year MHDC provided around 85 hanging baskets, making it the town's single biggest contributor. In Bloom chairman John Jordan is very disappointed the decision, which he described as penny pinching'.
"By cutting back they have taken away a third of our overall display of hanging baskets. It is a body blow," he said.
"I am upset they are doing this when we are all trying to boost our local towns and bring in tourists.
"We are only talking about a very small part of the council's overall budget, and while it will not make any major savings in the grand scheme of things it will make a massive difference to us."
He hopes that the district council will reconsider its decision, or that a solution can be found either by subcontracting the work to Malvern Town Council, or encouraging traders to adopt a basket' for the summer, thus saving MHDC the cost of maintenance.
Cllr David Watkins, responsible for environmental control, said hanging baskets were cut from the district's £160,000 grounds maintenance budget to make efficiency savings.
"It may seem that £3,000 is a small amount but every bit counts," he said. "It is not an easy path to tread. I would not believe that the hanging baskets would be missed."
10:23am Wednesday 26th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Steve Price, Malvern on 9:25pm Wed 26 Mar 08
While the hanging baskets are quite pretty they are not really what the In Bloom is about apparently.
The towns traders could I am sure contribute towards hanging baskets if they want them there it is only a small amount of money for the traders to find between them and I am sure they could get a good deal from somewhere as that is what shop keepers are good at.
While the hanging baskets are quite pretty they are not really what the In Bloom is about apparently.
The towns traders could I am sure contribute towards hanging baskets if they want them there it is only a small amount of money for the traders to find between them and I am sure they could get a good deal from somewhere as that is what shop keepers are good at.
Posted by: Melvyn, Malvern Link on 1:04pm Sat 19 Apr 08
First we cut the attractive Christmas lights, now the hanging baskets! Surely the Community Charge payer likes to see pretty towns?
On reading the article in MG it appears the Council is in favour of supporting global warming (read it carefully!!) I despair! Mel.
First we cut the attractive Christmas lights, now the hanging baskets! Surely the Community Charge payer likes to see pretty towns?
On reading the article in MG it appears the Council is in favour of supporting global warming (read it carefully!!) I despair! Mel.
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