Spondon in Bloom 2005

Britain in Bloom 2005

The incredible success for Spondon in Bloom continues! Having succeeded at our first attempt at East Midlands in Bloom in 2004, we were apprehensive to be entered in for the 2005 Britain in Bloom contest as the East Midlands entry. But we need not have worried as we triumphed again, gaining a silver certificate -

This more than made up for our slight disappointment at being beaten by Mickleover this year in the East Midlands contest (although we did improve our score over last year).

The report from the Britain in Bloom judges said that they were impressed by:

Areas they suggested needed improvement included:

The judging was filmed by the Community Channel for the Royal Horticultural Society (who run the Britain in Bloom competition), which was broadcast on their channel on 30th September (ask a VIC member for a copy if you missed it!)
After the announcement of the winners, we had the opportunity to talk to the Britain in Bloom judges, to see what we did well, and what we need to improve. The VIC is already starting to plan the campaign for 2006, taking into account the judges’ comments.

Britain in Bloom DVD

We now have available a DVD (cover shown left), which has on it the programme that was shown on the Community Channel, the edited Spondon highlights, and a slideshow of some photos.

If you would like one we are asking for a donation of at least £5 for the VIC (plus 70p towards postage and packing, if required). if you would like one (or more!) of these please 

There is a currently also a video available for loan in Spondon Library.

October celebrations

The Village Improvement Committee celebrated this year's success with a gathering of many who had helped the campaign in the Parish Rooms. The proceedings were helped with a celebration cake specially constructed by Sandra Wharton (pictured right).

The Committee are pictured here holding the trophy (and a glass of wine or two!). From left to right are Dee Spencer, Dave Henshall, Margaret Kelley (chair), Derek Hathaway, Anita Hayes (secretary), Eddie Spencer and Tricia Paton. (Julia Johnson was unable to attend and Barry Liggett managed to avoid being photographed.) It was also reported in the Derby Evening Telegraph.

We were pleased to be joined by Sarah Dornan of BTCV. Even though her (highly successful) secondment to Derby City Council is over, she drove down from Preston to join us.

As we start our 2006 campaign, we are pleased to accept any offers of help - see the events page for details of our clean-up days - even if you feel unable to actually join the committee.

The 2005 campaign

The 2005 "Spondon in Bloom" campaign started on Sunday 5^th December at West Park Meadow Local Nature Reserve.

Local residents helped to replant some hedgerow, with plants (and help) provided by Sarah Dornan, City Council Wildspace officer. As well as restoring some of the ancient landscape, once the hedgerow has matured, it will "soften" the new security fence erected by the school.

Since then, there have been several more clean-up exercises on the Nature Reserve and we have two interpretation boards funded by English Nature (pictured below). These were rapidly installed by a team of volunteers just days before the East Midlands in Bloom judging!

Derby City Council Area Panel 1 granted us £2,500 to carry out landscaping in an area behind the Village Hall once the Welcome Hut has been demolished. We have also received donations from  the Ancient Order of Foresters and Derbyshire Building Society. The latter went towards the village-wide edition of SCAN (the Community Association newsletter) in March which will help to publicise our activities. Most recently, we have received a financial boost from Nottingham East Midlands Airport Community Fund to help our project to refurbish the cemetery on Chapel Street.

We are also grateful for the continuing support of Acetate Products (ex-Acordis),  Severn Trent Water and Rolls-Royce. Our efforts were also augmented by the Asda Community Team, who spent a lot of time attacking graffiti assisted (amongst other things ) by paint supplied by BT. We have received financial help from a number of individuals and the following local organisations:

Apologies to any that we have missed - the money is still rolling in!

As ever, we are dependent on the support we get from all residents of Spondon; if you are able to help in any way, please

You can also help by supporting our various fund-raising events. Our Spondon in Bloom efforts were covered by the Derby Evening Telegraph.

Take a look at the other major VIC projects (support for the re-opening of Derby & Sandiacre Canal and the Village History Trail), the Severn-Trent clock or past and planned events.