South & Southeast in Bloom Judges To Assess Hailsham

Hailsham faces its floral D-Day in two weeks time when South & South East in Bloom judges cast their eye over the town’s efforts.

Environment Hailsham is convinced that the town deserves to achieve even better results in the competition, having achieved a silver gilt award in the Large Town category of the South & South East in Bloom competition last year.

Judges will convene at the Town Council Offices in Market Street on Thursday 9th July for an official presentation and meet representatives of community groups and businesses who have contributed to Environment Hailsham’s many projects undertaken this year.

From there, the judges will proceed to the main tour of the town which includes stops at the town centre’s floral displays in North Street, George Street and the High Street, Dennis King Memorial Orchard & Sensory Garden which has undergone replanting works during the past year and the new plant bed which was created from scratch on the junction between Battle Road and Hawkswood Road.

The judges will also have the opportunity 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 or sapling.

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

Environment Hailsham Chairman Richard Grocock said organisers are looking forward to showing off all that Hailsham has to offer.

Mr Grocock said:

“The Environment Hailsham team has a busy couple of weeks in store as we look to finalise the town’s portfolio and ensure everything is looking in tip-top condition ahead of judging day, when assessors will decide whether the town’s floral displays, horticultural projects and street environment meet their gold standard.

The judges will be providing unbiased, authoritative feedback on what we are doing well and where we need to improve. It goes without saying that this is of great importance because the people here want Hailsham to be a great place to live and visit.”

Hailsham is up against a number of other towns in the Large Town category of the South & South East in Bloom competition. The category winner will be announced at a ceremony to be held in Brighton in September.