Henley is 'blooming'

We did it!  Henley was given top marks in the 'town' category of the Thames and Chilterns regional Britain in Bloom competition last week (Wednesday 5th September), for the second successive year.

We were competing against three other towns - Marlow, Amersham and Buckingham and scored 161 points out of a possible 200 and received a Silver Gilt award. Our portfolio, demonstrating our efforts over the last year also came top - out of 26 entries from all the competition categories -  to win the 'best portfolio' award. The judges said that the 'professional portfolio was an excellent portrayal of every part of Henley in Bloom'.

They judges also commented, 'The vigorous enthusiastic hard working Henley in Bloom committee never fails to produce a wide range of innovations supporting the Britain in Bloom campaign.'

Despite it being a gloomy and drizzly day when the judges visited Henley for their tour around the town, they said that they were particularly impressed with Chiltern End garden, the two bedding schemes in Mill Meadows, the two golden wheelbarrows in Millennium Court, the newly replanted locomotive situated on Station Park and the composting machine newly purchased by the town council this year. They even commented on our 'Big Breakfast', which was sponsored by Waitrose and Shredded Wheat, the new Britain in Bloom national sponsor.

Special mention was also given to the 'overall enthusiasm of Henley in Bloom, cleanliness of the whole town and public areas and the portfolio - truly one picture is worth a thousand words'.

I am so pleased and proud that Henley has again won its category. So many people in the town have worked hard to maintain  - and I think improve - on the standard we achieved last year. I would like to thank everyone for all their great efforts.

Now we have to wait until 26th September for the results of the 2007 Britain in Bloom national finals!! Watch this space....

Liz

With the regional judging just two weeks away and the national judging taking place on August 2nd, it really is full steam ahead for all those involved with Henley in Bloom.  

Having returned from my holiday last week, I was delighted to find that a lot has been happening over the last couple of weeks in preparation for the judging which was great news to come back to!

The two golden wheelbarrows donated by Windowflowers are looking fantastic in Millennium Court - the whole area looks so revived and full of colour. The lavender is blooming and looks fantastic against Kings Barn.

Walking around the town, I can see that most of the sponsored hanging baskets are now up and looking very good. The Henley Lions have spruced up their garden at Chiltern End and we have decided to take the judges here on the tour.  

Wootten Manor shopping parade is now the proud owner of five new planters, which have delighted everyone and the committee have gained a new member – Richard Reed of the Henley Standard. Welcome aboard Richard!

The two new raised beds have now been planted to show the logos of Henley Town Council and Oxford Inspires on Mill Meadows. I expect we will need to give the plants a chance to grow before the logos are really visible. Toad Hall has been really helpful on this - it required a lot of extra planting!  A big thank you is owed to Mick Thomas and the Parks Serviceswho took on the onerous task of piecing together the designs.

We also have to thank the Royal Regatta for their sponsorship of the entrance sign to Henley as you approach the bridge from Remenham, which looks particularly good. They have also donated £1,500 towards refurbishment of the Philimore Fountain, which means with the donation by the Philimore Family we have enough for the refurbishment to go ahead which is fantastic.

You may have noticed that the Henley on Thames boundary sign at the Reading Road has been removed - it was quite faded so it has been taken away for refurbishment! We expect it to return very soon.

Some of you may also have seen flagpoles carrying the Henley in Bloom logo flags appear in the Market Place a few weeks ago - unfortunately the banner arms were not working correctly so we have gone back to the manufacturer to see what can be done. I hope they are back in position and flying proudly by the time the judges visit.

I have been extremely busy putting together the portfolio, which has to be given to the judges by Monday 9th July. Working with French Jones and Mandy Taylor, we have produced a 15-page A4 record book of all that has been happening over the last year, using photographs as proof.

Next, is perfecting the judges tour - which is must be no longer than two hours long! This is going to take up a lot of time.... so I must get on!

Keep up the hard work everyone - the town really is looking 'blooming' marvellous.

Liz

Back in September last year, when we were flushed with success at winning gold in the regional competition and being entered into the national finals, I attended a Britain in Bloom seminar in Stevenage alongside Alan Webb, one our Parks Services team members.  It was a great chance to meet all the other finalists and to find out who we are up against.  We discovered that we were one of seven towns that had been entered into this year's final - our closest rival being the City of London (apparently it goes by population!). After talking to some of the other finalists, we found that our budget for the competition was minute in comparison! However, it isn't money that is important for Henley, people are, and we have plenty of those!

Mill Meadows - raised beds that will display the Town Councils logo and the Oxford Inspires logo in flowers. Email hodgkin1@waitrose.com 

Valley Road Chalk Bank and Mill Meadows wildlife area. Contact Sally Rankin of Henley Wildlife Group on 01491 578633 

I also spoke to a few people in Waitrose yesterday who asked about the competition and were really pleased with how the town is looking - I agree with them - lets keep it that way!