| Woolton
in Bloom - 2001
Woolton in Bloom was first started in 2001. It began
with a letter from Councillor Barbara Mace, which I received dated 4th May
2001, outlining the proposals for the event. The first paragraph read:
The schools, youth organisations, churches, WVRA (Woolton Village Residents Association), Woolton Society and the WVTA (Woolton Village Traders Association) were all contacted for their support, as were several ‘high-profile’ people who it was hoped would become a Patron of the Bloom bid. The first meeting was arranged for Wednesday, 16th July
2001, in St. Mary’s Church hall, at 6pm... Derek
Dottie explained how the Parks and Gardens would help out with the loan of
hanging baskets, flower tubs etc, and Steve Perkins told us of the
criteria of Britain in Bloom, and that it was to be a community led
project. Councillor Flo’ Clucas said she had: A steering committee was formed... At the end of the main meeting a short steering committee meeting was held. It was decided that we would send out a press release, speak to the local businesses, and try to encourage support from the supermarkets, and larger business in the village, as well as agreeing on a small fee for the baskets provided by the park and gardens... The next public meeting was set for 29th May, in St. Julie’s High School. Fifty-four people turned up, including the councillors, local police and the steering committee. There were lengthy discussions, mainly about the possibility of vandalism to the displays, and the feasibility of the project as a whole... There would be a competition for the ‘best front garden’ and ‘best shop window/frontage.’ The school children would be asked to design a floral clock, to be planted in the walled garden of Woolton Wood, were the cuckoo clock had been in disrepair for a long time. We were to have ‘a village clean-up day,’ a page on UK Villages, and get the cuckoo clock back in working order. All this to be done as well as having the baskets ready to be hung, the floral displays to be erected in and around the village... We found out on 5th July that the judging would take place on 16th July. Kerry Peacock, who had joined our committee in place of Jean Davies, planned the route the judges would take. She walked the route to check that we would have ample time to show them all we had achieved... The route consisted of a starting point at Bishops Lodge, where they would view the garden and then go on into Reynolds Park to visit the walled garden. On coming down Church Road, they would visit Bishop Martin School to see the construction work carried out by pupils, who had built a wildlife pond and garden. Then it would be time to take in the beauty of the village and have refreshments in the Let’s Eat. The judges would cross over High Street on their way to Woolton Wood, were they would see the wild-flower borders and the tree planting carried out by the Woolton Village Residents Association. Next the route would take them into the walled garden to see the improvements and the newly repaired cuckoo clock, and finally, a visit to Ashton Square, (Pudding Bag, to old Wooltonians!). They would return along Woolton Street to the Village Cross, were their time with us would end... Our final meeting was held on 12th July and we held our breath for the big day! The day dawned and the sun shone like never before! The judges arrived and began their tour, but instead of just spending an hour and a half as scheduled, they stayed for three and a half hours! They seemed to be very impressed, especially with the two unique walled gardens in our local parks. We felt that we had done a magnificent job in the very limited time that we had been given, from that first May meeting... At the beginning of September we were invited to the presentation of prizes for the Northwest in Bloom... They returned with wonderful news! We were the Runners-up in the large village category, and we were awarded First prize for the best landscape designs in the walled gardens. The certificates went on view in the window of our sponsors, Morecroft Urquhart, solicitors, Allerton Road. Our first prize was a magnificent glass apple, signed by the designer, John Ditchfield. Sadly this has to be returned after twelve months. What an achievement in just three months. We had been successful in both categories, which we were entered for. Who would have thought it was possible back in May. Not only had we achieved our success, but also the village was once again pulling together, to work with one aim, the enhancement of our surroundings. Rhona Friend
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