Wotton in Bloom
In 2011 a local businessman (from Clarendon Press) had the idea that there could be hanging baskets outside every shop, business and house in Long Street, High Street, Church Street and Market Street to create a continuous sea of blooms up the street, brightening up the centre of town. This idea was taken to the Chair of the Town Council Regeneration Committee, Cllr June Cordwell. Together with the support of the Chamber of Trade, a new committee of, local residents, Chamber of Trade, business people & Town Councillors was formed and became a constituted charity, which then set about raising funds. Stroud District Council and Wotton Civic Society gave grants for the first baskets and brackets, under the heading of town regeneration. The project has endured the test of time and 2015 is now its 5th year – with very little change on the committee.
Wotton in Bloom is very lucky to have the involvement of Wotton Farm Shop, which orders the plant plugs and grows them on in its nursery, Clarendon Press, whose idea it was, doing the printing, and a new associate in 2015 is O-So-Clean who is now the bracket expert. Each trader, business and householder in the centre of Town in March/April is approached to join the scheme and pay a subsidised price for their baskets and troughs.
The committee fundraise for the rest of the total cost, and are grateful to Wotton Town Council, Renishaw, Wotton Lions, Bear Street Garage, Alderley plc and all the individuals, businesses, clubs and societies who support the project. Several of the baskets are sponsored and again many thanks are extended to these sponsors. Wotton Lions and Churches Together have troughs that they plant, as does Cotswold and Tyndale Rotary who provided a large container to go outside the Chipping Club Room. The Town Council plants the troughs on the War Memorial. Such a large number of baskets and troughs take a professional team to water and feed, and the cost of the watering is the biggest outlay.
You can follow Wotton In Bloom on its Facebook page and send us your comments and suggestions. Sue Hunt is the Chair of the Wotton in Bloom Committee and would like to hear from anyone who would like to volunteer to help or to donate to this wonderful annual display.
Contact: wottoninbloom@gmail.com
