High Hopes After In Bloom Judges’ Visit to Hailsham

Hailsham’s gardens and town centre floral displays were under the spotlight yesterday [6 July] as the town hosted judges from the South & Southeast in Bloom competition.

Judges were driven around the town when Environment Hailsham representatives presented their horticultural creations and outlined their community activities held during the past year.

Included in the tour were the town centre’s floral displays in North Street, George Street and the High Street, the premises of this year’s Best Kept Front Garden competition and the plant nursery site near Orchard Park.

Whilst on the tour of the town’s floral ‘hot spots’, the judges enjoyed the tranquility of the Dennis King Memorial Sensory Garden near Grovelands Primary School as well as the work carried out in the Diamond Jubilee Rose Garden outside Hailsham Library with all its fragrant roses.

“Businesses and individuals have all played their part — something that has impressed me considerably,” said Town Mayor Councillor Nigel Coltman, who met with South & Southeast in Bloom judges on the day. “Environment Hailsham deserve recognition for all the hard work their members, volunteers and sponsors have put into projects, contributing significantly to the environmental and aesthetic enhancement of the town.”

“It’s wonderful to have people from all walks of life who enjoy putting their hands into the earth and improving green spaces and horticultural displays in the town.

“Hailsham are in for a nail-biting wait as the judges are not due to return a verdict on the efforts of all those involved until September.”

Richard Grocock, Chairman of Environment Hailsham said “The displays were in top form for the judges and they took great interest in how our network of volunteers worked and produced such a lot with so little a budget. I am very proud of the team who have risen to the challenges of the weather and adjustments we have had to make in view of the start of the town’s regeneration scheme.”

The judges will now compile their report, the results of which will be revealed at the South & Southeast in Bloom awards which are being held at Ferneham Hall, Fareham, on Wednesday 14^th September.