Successful visit for Upton in Bloom (From Malvern Gazette)

Successful visit for Upton in Bloom

4:05pm Friday 10th July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

THE sun shone brightly as Upton welcomed judges from Heart of England in Bloom this morning (Friday, July 10).

The judges enjoyed a brief introductory presentation at the King’s Head pub before embarking on an hour-and-a-half long tour of the town.

At the end of their visit they were greeted by a large gathering of residents, officials from local authorities and children from Upton Primary and Hanley Castle High School at the Old Churchyard.

On their tour the judges visited Berrow Court, the new doctors surgery at Tunnel Hill, the recycling centre in Hanley Road Car Park and local resident Barbara Hartley’s eye-catching ‘Mr Bill and Mrs Lizzie Garden’ in Dunns Lane.

They also called in at Upton Primary, where pupils showed off their gardening skills and the school band provided some musical accompaniment.

Heart of England in Bloom judge Angela Pendleton said she thoroughly enjoyed her first formal visit to Upton.

“One thing that really stands out is the huge community spirit,” she said. “Together the citizens of Upton have certainly made a difference. The town was of an exceedingly high standard throughout our visit.”

Fellow judge Robin Russell last ran the rule over Upton’s Heart of Bloom entry back in 2007.

He said: “As someone who has judged Upton before I can honestly say it keeps improving year on year. The floral displays have been fabulous this year.”

Upton in Bloom chairman Jackie Surtees said she was very pleased with the judging visit.

“I think it went very well. The whole town looked very good. People have done a lot of work and that really showed,” she said. “We will have a debrief now and a bit of a break for a few weeks and then start planning again for next year.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped out or supported our efforts in any way.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)