Hopes High After South & Southeast In Bloom Judges’ Visit

Hailsham’s gardens and town centre floral displays were under the spotlight today [9 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 Dennis King Memorial Orchard & Sensory Garden which has undergone replanting works during the past year, the improved road sign flower planters throughout the town and the new plant bed which was created from scratch on the junction between Battle Road and Hawkswood Road.

The judges also had the chance to find out more about Environment Hailsham’s grey water harvesting at the Grovelands Barn plant nursery and the continuation of the ‘Plot To Plate’ project set up two years ago next to the plant nursery to teach children about growing fresh vegetables from seed.

Other stop-off points included premises of the winners of the Best Kept Front Garden, Best Business Premises and Hailsham Heritage Award competitions.

Shops, businesses, schools and individuals have all played their part — something that impressed both judges. However, Hailsham will be in for a nail-biting wait as the judges are not due to return a verdict on the efforts of all those involved until early September.

Environment Hailsham Chairman Richard Grocock said: “An enormous amount of time and effort has gone into our projects this year and we arranged a packed schedule for the judges’ tour. I hope they were amazed by the high standard of this year’s various landscaping projects, floral displays and local environmental awareness initiatives.”

Mr Grocock added: “There has been a considerable amount of interest from the community this past year in our projects and I’d like to thank each and everyone who has been involved in and supported Environment Hailsham and its work.”

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 the Amex Community Stadium in Brighton in September.