2014

Cultivating Pride in our Town

Contents

Page No. 1. Introduction 1 2. Achievements 2013-14 3

2.1. Horticultural Achievement (A) 2.1.1. Impact (A1) 2.1.2. Horticultural Practice (A2) 2.1.3. Residential and Community Gardening (A3) 2.1.4. Business Areas and Premises (A4) 2.1.5. Green Spaces (A5)

3 3 5 7

13 14

2.2. Environmental Responsibility (B)

2.2.1. Conservation and Biodiversity (B1) 2.2.2. Resource Management (B2) 2.2.3. Local Heritage (B3) 2.2.4. Local Environmental Quality (B4) 2.2.5. Pride of Place (B5)

16 16 19 20 21 22

2.3. Community participation

2.3.1. Development and Continuity (C1) 2.3.2. Communication and Education (C2) 2.3.3. Community Participation (C3) 2.3.4. Year-round Involvement (C4) 2.3.5. Funding and Support (C5)

22 22 22 23 24 24

3. Proposals July 2014 - June 2015 25 4. Sponsors, Supporters and Contacts 25

Above - St Neots in Bloom 2014 launch. Poppy and corn marigold seed sowing at Sudbury Meadow. 05/04/14

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1. Introduction

St Neots is spread out on either side of the River Great Ouse, with only one crossing within the town boundaries. This portfolio aims to highlight some of the less accessible places and floral displays which St Neots in Bloom is unable to show the Anglia in Bloom judges during their tour. We hope that it provides an insight into the work done by many people to improve the environment of our lovely, riverside town.

Abbreviations used throughout the document

HDC - Huntingdonshire District Council SNTC - St Neots Town Council ESCA - Eatons Community Association EVA - Eynesbury Village Association LFCA - Love's Farm Community Association Bpha - Bedford Pilgrims Housing association

Judging area

The judging area for St Neots in Bloom covers the St Neots Town Council electoral wards of St Neots Eaton Socon, St Neots Eaton Ford, St Neots Priory Park, St Neots East and St Neots Eynesbury. Continued occupation of the developing Love's Farm housing estate in St Neots East ward, has brought the electoral role to approximately 23,846.

(Ward boundaries are shown in pink)

Priory Park Ward

Eynesbury Ward

Eaton Ford Ward

Eaton Socon Ward

East Ward

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Community

St Neots continues to expand, with yet more houses being built at Love's Farm and off Barford Road in Eynesbury ward. St Neots in Bloom tries to maintain contact with the expanding communities through community groups where they exist, 'Friends' groups, schools and the local media, as well as its own website and Facebook page.

With so many notable national events happening through 2014, St Neots in Bloom decided to encourage commemoration of WW1 through the sowing of poppies as its main theme, followed by celebrating Britain In Bloom's 50th Anniversary, by growing something yellow.

Committee for 2014

Officers: Chair - Alison Pearson (Chair of meetings, portfolio and route planning co-ordinator, media and promotions.) Vice-chairman - Tom McCormick Hon. Treasurer - Barry Stonham OBE FIH Hon. Secretary - Lin Buck (Schools liaison, route planning). Committee members: Katie Baldwin (Facebook manager) Ian Webb (Commercial Frontage Award judge, photographer) Stuart Carter (Commercial Frontage Award judge) Adrian Usher Allocated St Neots Town Councillor on the committee: Councillor Barry Chapman - May 2013 - 2014. No one allocated for 2014 -15. Above - Blossom time at Eaton Ford Green. 09/03/14

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2. Achievements 2013 - 2014

2.1. Horticultural Achievement (A)

2.1.1. Impact (A1)

On the following pages are pictures of some of our wonderful local authority displays from late summer 2013 through to late spring 2014.

Late summer and autumn 2013

Above - Eaton Ford Green. (SNTC) 31/07/13

Above - Bright display at Eaton Socon Green (SNTC). 31/07/13

Above - Stunning Market Square tiered planter (SNTC). 30/07/13

Above - Two of many delightful hanging baskets in the town centre (SNTC). 12/09/13

Above - Eaton Ford Green. (SNTC). 04/09/13

Above - Raised display at The Paddocks. (HDC) 26/09/13

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Above - Crosshall Road display (HDC). 13/08/13

Above - Jubilee Garden with annuals and perennials vying for attention. (SNTC). 12/09/13

Above - Cambridge Street display (HDC). 30/09/13

Above - Eynesbury Green raised bed (SNTC). 31/07/13.

Above - Central border of St Mary's Church, St Neots, Memorial Garden. (SNTC) 01/08/13

Above - Eynesbury Green (SNTC). 11/09/13

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Winter-Spring 2013-14

It was rain rather than snow and frost which was the feature of winter 2013-14. The pansies in many displays sulked for a few months, but burst back into life in the mild spring, along with primulas, hyacinths and daffodils.

2.1.2. Horticultural practice (A2)

Continuing reductions in HDC's Grounds Maintenance budget during the last ten months has seen grass cutting reduced in many places to once a year. Whilst this has benefits for wildlife, e.g. an increase in insects which benefits birds, it has not pleased some residents

Above - Cheerful primulas in late winter at The Priory Centre courtyard. (SNTC) 06/03/14

Above - Spring colour at Eynesbury Green. (SNTC) 19/03/14

Above - Dramatic tulips at Eaton Ford Green (SNTC) 18/04/14

Above - St Neots Garden of Rest. (SNTC) 14/04/14

Left - Colourful planters at Jubilee Garden (SNTC) 31/03/14

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in St Neots. As a result, SNTC has taken over a few sites to provide regular grass cuts. SNTC continues to cut the grass on Village Greens, around play areas and in Churchyards on a weekly basis during the growing season.

SNTC recognises that high impact floral displays add to the town's visitor experience so works with plant supplier John Banks, of HFR Banks and Son, Bushmead, to create good quality, colourful displays each year. This year Pitch Care's peat-free Tree Planting Mulch Compost was added to flower beds to improve them. Weekly inspection, dead heading and weeding of bedding displays help ensure they look good for the maximum amount of time. HDC has a number of displays in the town too and also maintains them to as high a standard as the budget allows.

Hanging and barrier baskets are provided in the town centre by SNTC. A slow release feed is added to both by supplier HFR Banks and Son. All SNTC planters have inbuilt water wells to reduce wastage. SNTC is able to water its displays as necessary, extracting water from the river, whilst HDC waters less frequently.

There are a number of permanent plantings around the town. All are mulched to reduce water loss and help to reduce weed growth. HDC mulches with wood chips whilst SNTC favours the use of gravel.

The permanent planting in a raised bed at Jubilee Garden is our nomination for a Special Award for a Drought/Sustainable Garden this year, with the emphasis on 'Sustainable'.

The garden is managed by SNTC and contractor Alison Pearson, who takes care of the plants. Not all the plants are specifically drought tolerant, as the site actually doesn't dry out too much, due to a large amount of rotted woodchip that was rotavated into the soil during a 2012 refurbishment, and a thick gravel mulch. No membrane is used, so plants can easily be moved around and replaced if necessary.

Above - Gravel bed at Priory Centre courtyard. (SNTC). 26/11/13

Above - Lots of late colour and height complimenting the annual bedding display at Jubilee Garden. (SNTC). 26/09/13

Above - Newly planted gravel bed by the Oast House at Priory Centre courtyard. (SNTC). 11/06/14

Above - View from the river bridge. (SNTC) 11/06/14

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The garden does sustain a small amount of damage from people walking on it to have their photos taken in front of the St Neots sign, or from youngsters walking along the walls and across the edge of the garden. As a result, brittle Sedums were removed from a vulnerable corner and replaced with experimental Ericas in October 2013.

Other new plants for 2014 are Millium effusum 'Aureum', Heucherella 'Berry Fizz' and Phlox douglasii 'Scarlet Flame'. They replace under-performing plants or in the case of the Phlox, ones which had died in the wet winter.

Groundcover is a feature of the highest part of the garden with geraniums smothering the ground and providing masses of nectar for bees and bumblebees in spring.

2.1.3. Residential and Community Gardening (A3)

Allotments and community gardening

For the fourth year running, St Neots in Bloom sponsored the Floral Art category at St Neots and District Gardening Club's Annual Show in August 2013, to raise awareness of the campaign. The club's principle aim is to improve the horticultural skills of its members. We are sponsoring the same show category this year which will include an arrangement to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Britain in Bloom.

There are five allotment sites within the judging area, three privately owned and two run by SNTC. SNTC has tried reducing the size of some of its plots to reduce the waiting list and make the plots more manageable for busy households.

A selection of pictures from the 2013 Annual Show. 10/08/13

Left - River Lane private allotments, next to Riverside Park. 14/05/14

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Private gardens

St Neots in Bloom continues to encourage private gardeners to take care of their front gardens, through its Best Front Garden competition (See Section 2.3.3).

ESCA also encourages local gardeners to share their enthusiasm by holding an annual Eatons Community Open Gardens event to raise money for local community groups. This year's event took place on June 8th .

Public areas

Below are pictures from a few of the public areas around St Neots.

Above and below - A selection of lovely gardens open to the public for the Eatons Community Open Gardens. 08/06/14

Above - Eaton Socon War Memorial, Eaton Socon Green. (SNTC) 31/07/13

Above - A riot of late summer colour at St Mary's Church, Eynesbury (SNTC). 12/09/13

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St Mary's Parish Church, St Neots

Above left and right - The Memorial Garden in mid-summer .(SNTC) 01/08/13

Below left - Crocuses and early daffodils brighten the churchyard. (SNTC) 14/03/14

Below right - Violas, primulas and hyacinths in The Memorial Garden. (SNTC) 31/03/14

Above - Eaton Socon cemetery. (SNTC) 02/06/14 Above - Lovely perennial planting at Eaton Socon cemetery. (SNTC) 02/06/14

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Above - New Street Baptist Church's colourful planter. 24/09/13

Above - Eynesbury cemetery. (SNTC) 02/06/14 Above - Maintenance team at work at St Neots old cemetery. (SNTC) 03/06/14

The Priory Centre (SNTC)

Below left - Summer exuberance in the courtyard. (SNTC) 05/08/13

Below right - Spring cheer as primulas come into their own. (SNTC) 19/03/14

Below middle - Winter hanging baskets. (Priory Centre/SNTC) 13/11/13

Above - Gravel garden at One Leisure. (HDC) 02/06/14

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School grounds

Our schools liaison volunteer, Lin Buck, has sent out two newsletters to all schools, pre-schools and nurseries since last summer. She included poppy and corn marigold seeds for the pre-schools and nurseries with our Spring 2014 issue, to help them commemorate WW1 and celebrate Britain in Bloom's 50th Anniversary. Unfortunately Lin has failed to get a response from St Neots' two secondary academies, although she is still trying. The

judges will visit Bushmead Primary School during the July tour, where a vegetable garden has been renovated with the help of volunteers from Waitrose.

Apricot Day Nursery children are growing poppies,

marigolds, lavender and sun flowers. A wild flower garden is being grown from seed. The tomatoes and strawberries are growing well. Insects are encouraged into bug and ladybird houses.

Children at Eaton Socon Pre-School are growing

carrots, potatoes, spring onions, radishes, sunflowers and more herbs this year. They have fun tasting all the produce. They have planted an area with poppy seeds acquired from Countryfile which are starting to

show. Daffodils and tulips were grown earlier in the year which are now being replaced with bedding plants. The children did try to grow plants in wellies, but they became too water logged! There are lots of plants to encourage butterflies and caterpillars.

Little Acorns Pre-School children have sown vegetable seeds and the pumpkins and green beans are growing well. There are strawberries in the grounds too. The children also go across to Ernulf Academy Eco Garden to help to water the plants there.

Strawberries, spring onions and radishes have been grown and eaten by children at Montagu Square Day Nursery. They are also growing flowers from seeds and have an

insect house.

Orchards Day Nursery is busy renovating its garden area. The children have discovered

some potatoes growing in last year’s sacks. They have also planted out bedding plants and are growing sunflowers. A new log pile is being established.

Priory Park Pre-School is having success with growing potatoes, beetroot, radishes and

peas. They have also planted the poppy seeds provided by St Neots in Bloom. There has not been a lot of trouble with rabbits this year!

Earlier in the year, Treetops Nursery had a good display of daffodils. They have now

planted poppy seeds which are growing well. In the vegetable patch are potatoes, carrots, onions and leeks. They are planning to make bug houses later this term.

Priory Park Infant School's children continue to enjoy their gardening and have been raising vegetables and flowers. A new ‘red’ garden is being developed at the front of the school, led by a governor and helped by parents and children. One class is trying out new bug hotels and experimenting with using carpet squares to encourage insects.

At Middlefield Community Primary School children have been busy picking strawberries. Earlier in the year they sold new plants from the runners they had nurtured. Gooseberries, blackcurrants and whitecurrants are ripening ready to be made into jam to be sold to raise funds. All the

Above - Planting out peppers at Bushmead Primary School. 18/06/14

Above - Colourful display of planted wellies at the Round House Primary Academy. 10/06/14

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children work in the garden on a daily basis and are growing a wide range of flowers and vegetables. Earlier in the year a spiral of daffodils was planted and then the poppy seeds provided by St Neots in Bloom were added.

Children at Round House Primary Academy are now able to use their outdoor area for

gardening. Each class has a vegetable plot in the school grounds as well as looking after a flower area outside the classroom door. Grandparents have been helping to create a vegetable plot in a courtyard area and are setting raspberry canes. Children have brought in old wellies and have planted them up.

Samuel Pepys School's (special needs) primary children have planted four raised beds in their sensory area and are growing vegetables and plants. The After School Club has adopted a planter in the courtyard and the Post 16 pupils have built raised beds for the horticulture groups to use and are selling broad beans at the moment. A new polytunnel has been completed ready for further planting.

Car parks

Most of the public car parks in St Neots have shrub beds around them, well mulched with wood chips to help reduce weeds and keep in moisture. A raised bed in the centre of the Priory Lane car park is planted with annuals each year along with two small beds at Tebbutts Road car park. New planting in spring 2013 at Riverside Park car park, around two decorative screens is maturing well.

Above - Maturing permanent planting at Riverside Park car park (HDC). 05/05/14

Above - Newly planted geraniums at Priory Lane car park. (HDC). 16/06/14

Above - Spring flowering shrubs at St Anselm Place car park. (HDC). 31/05/14

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2.1.4. Business Areas and Premises (A4)

St Neots in Bloom's annual Commercial Frontage Awards (baskets and containers),

which encourages businesses to enhance the public areas of their premises, was judged on 20th July 2013. For the second year running, the Pig N Falcon pub just came out on

top.

Several of the industrial sites within the town have large areas of shrub planting, as does the newly opened Rowley Arts Centre in Huntingdon Street.

Left - Pig N Falcon, Best Commercial Frontage 2014. 20/07/14

Above - One of the Waggon and Horses winter baskets. 08/03/14

Above - Spring bulbs at The Ambiance Café. 17/03/14

Above - Winter window box at The Old Sun. 22/02/14

Right - Escalonia and Calamagrostis at Rowley Arts Centre. 31/05/14

Above - Pig N Falcon's winter/spring display. 03/05/14

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2.1.5. Green Spaces (A5)

St Neots has three formal public parks and four informal public green spaces (See section 2.2.1), along with many other green spaces within residential areas.

Priory Park lies to the north-east of the town and is our nomination for Best Public Open Space. It is known for its wide variety of trees and is supported by the Priory Park Friends Group (PPFG), set up in 2010. The group's principle aim is "To protect and enhance the Park as an open, green space for the enjoyment of all." Over the last year the Friends have worked with park owner, HDC, to further enhance it. Key achievements are:-

500 crocuses planted in autumn 2013 near the Jubilee and Coronation benches.

1000 bluebells planted in the eastern spinney.

Planted an Elm as part of 'The Great British Elm Experiment'.

Started to tag trees with both English and Latin names, with identification help from HDC experts.

Continued to spread wood chippings on footpaths in the eastern spinney.

Held the Annual Spring Clean/litter pick on 22/03/14, at which nearly 30 bags of rubbish was collected, mainly from the woodland and ditches.

Riverside Park lies at the centre of St Neots, and is very popular with residents and visitors. Adjacent to the River Great Ouse, the park provides something for almost everyone, and is a great place to encounter wildlife. The northern part of the park is known as Regatta Meadow and hosts a number of public events during the year, including several Triathlons, St Neots Rowing Regatta and on 5th July 2014 an Armed Forces Day event.

From the main car park, with its café and children's play areas, there are pleasant walks south taking in the river, a very well used skate park and second children's play area. A third play area is in the south-eastern section of the park, just across the river at Coneygeare.

Above - Some of Priory Park's wonderful trees in evening light. (HDC) 20/06/14

Above - Natural Play area at Priory Park. (HDC) 20/06/14

Above - Dead tree left for wildlife. (HDC) 20/06/14

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Brickhills is owned by St Neots Town Council and is in Eynesbury, alongside Hen Brook.

It has a small play area, but is largely mown grass. There is a developing area to the rear of the park, which it is to be sown with wildflower seed.

Left - Hub of Riverside Park with café, play area, car park and toilets. (HDC) 05/05/14

Left - Wide open space of Brickhills. (SNTC) 02/06/14

Right - View across southern section of Riverside Park. (HDC) 19/04/14

Above - The very popular St Neots Regatta at Regatta Meadow. (HDC) 28/07/13

Right - Rocket Park play area at Riverside Park. (HDC) 05/05/14

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Roadside verges around St Neots are largely the responsibility of HDC. Most are at least cut on a monthly basis during the growing season, although some have a strip at the back which is cut annually. Great for wildlife!. Several have floral displays provided by HDC too.

2.2. Environmental Responsibility (B)

2.2.1. Conservation and Biodiversity (B1)

St Neots in Bloom is continuing to support and encourage wildlife conservation wherever possible. The town itself is home to a wide range of fauna, making use of natural and man-made features and there are various natural habitats including meadows, water courses and small patches of woodland.

Above - Colourful fruit and flowers at Crosshall Road, Eaton Ford. (HDC) 20/09/13

Above - One of the floral displays along Cambridge Street. (HDC) 20/09/13

Above - A splash of sunshine on Cambridge Street. (HDC) 14/03/14

Above - A duck's nest in the middle of Asters at Jubilee Garden. 13/08/14

Above - Banded demoiselle next to a footpath in Regatta Meadow. 11/06/14

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A start has been made on our Cemetery Sedum trial at St Neots Old Cemetery. The aim

is to provide drought tolerant plants for pollinators.

The Pightle Millennium Green is a unique site, in Eaton Socon. It is owned by the public and managed by a Trust. Volunteers at The Pightle, which is also a Queen Elizabeth II Field have been working hard since last summer keeping this 6 acre site accessible so that people can enjoy its wildlife and riverside views.

Barford Road Pocket Park lies at the southern end of town on the eastern bank of the river. It is owned by HDC and managed by Countryside Service Ranger, Matt Hall with a small team of volunteers. The site is a magnet for wildlife, but is also heavily used for recreation, particularly by dog-walkers. It has meadow, wet woodland, a conservation lake and boggy areas. Notable achievements over the last year have been:-

Above - The Pightle volunteers taking a break from bulb planting. 01/12/13

Right - Monster mushroom! 01/12/13

Above - Cowslips flourish in the grassland with blossom laden native shrubs on the background. 05/05/14

Above - The colourful results of the hard work. 08/03/14

Above three pictures - Several old graves with soil within the kerb stones have been planted with mixed sedums donated by Alison Pearson. 03/06/14

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Completion in December 2013 of a new boardwalk to enable close encounters with the conservation lake wildlife.

Refreshed graffiti artwork on bridges and disused buildings by local artist Jonnie Barton with year 8 and 9 students from Ernulf Academy and HDC Countryside Services.

Eynesbury Osiers is a small privately owned wet woodland, a declining habitat in

Huntingdonshire. The Ouse Valley Way long distance footpath (maintained by HDC) runs through the wood enabling visitors to enjoy the trees, wildflowers and birds. Bird boxes and bat boxes put up several years ago are still being used.

Above - Caltha palustris enjoying a woodland clearing. 19/04/14 Left - Ouse Valley Way through Eynesbury Osiers. 19/04/14

Above - New boardwalk at Barford Road Pocket Park conservation lake. (HDC) Dec 2013.

Above - An example of graffiti art on a bridge at Barford Road Pocket Park. (HDC) 10/03/14

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Sudbury Meadow is a 2 acre conservation site on Crosshall Road, Eaton Ford and is a small haven for wildlife. It is our nomination for a Special Conservation Award this year. Sudbury Meadow is owned by HDC but managed by Friends of Sudbury Meadow. Volunteers carry out most of the maintenance work, but are aided by HDC Rangers and volunteers from Paxton Pits Nature Reserve for the heavier work of meadow cutting and clearing.

The aim of the site is to maintain and improve habitats for wildlife whilst providing relatively easy access for visitors, all within a few minutes walk of St Neots town centre.

Over the last year volunteers have put in nearly 300 hours of work. Their successes include:-

A butterfly survey carried out by Gary Agar on 3rd August, which should be repeated in 2014. Eight species were recorded.

Coppicing a number of hazel and dogwood shrubs in the shrubbery and donating the rods and brash to two local allotment holders.

Maintaining hedgerows for nesting birds.

Organising the cutting and raking of the meadow areas, to encourage wildflowers. Yellow rattle has been seen in 2014 for the third year running.

Hosting the recycling of some of SNTC's summer bedding plants through a plant giveaway. See section 2.2.2.

Hosting the launch of St Neots in Bloom 2014 with the sowing of poppy and corn marigold seeds in the annuals bed of the Butterfly Garden.

There is on-going work along the Crosshall Road frontage of the site after four huge Lombardy poplars were felled by HDC in March for safety reasons. Timber was left on site for the public to collect, which they did! Plans are being developed to clear surplus woodchips and eventually return the area to grass with a number of Sorbus commixta 'Embley' .

2.2.2. Resource Management (B2)

Huntingdonshire as a whole continues to excel in its recycling efforts. Due to the increased scope of kerbside collection, recycling banks in public places are limited to clothing, media and several WEEE banks. ESCA has a Community Textile Bank outside Tesco Express in Eaton Socon, using funds raised to help local community groups.

St Neots Recycling Centre off Cromwell Road, run by Cambs. County Council, takes in most items and is constantly in use.

SNTC and HDC recycle green waste from bedding and basket displays. Grass cuttings are cut finely and left to break down in situ. HDC chips its woody waste and recycles it for paths and permanent planting areas, as well as leaving it for members of the public to collect at strategic places in the District (see Priory Park, Section 2.1.5). Budgets cuts have resulted in more timber being left on site to decay, providing habitat for insects.

Above -View across Sudbury Meadow. 19/04/14

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SNTC uses gravel mulch around permanent planting to conserve moisture and discourage weeds. HDC use wood chips for the same purpose. Plastic hanging baskets and planters have water reservoirs to limit run-off.

SNTC recycled a proportion of its summer bedding plants through Friends of Sudbury Meadow for a second year on 19th October 2013. Dahlias and Verbena bonariensis were amongst the giveaways. It was a great success and raised about £114 in donations, which was split between Friends of Sudbury Meadow and St Neots in Bloom.

2.2.3. Local Heritage (B3)

There is great interest in local heritage in St Neots. St Neots Museum has a wealth of

historical items and runs a number of themed exhibitions and activities each year. In late July 2013 it partnered with SNTC and organised a very successful Medieval Fair in the

Market Square. ESCA's Sue Jarrett enlisted the aid of Bushmead Primary School to produce a small booklet of 'Medieval Mishaps and Mayhem in Eaton Socon Parish'.

This year, the museum is holding an Edwardian Festival on 26 and 27 July and has been busy gathering information from local people for its exhibition of life during World War 1.

Continuing the Great War theme, ESCA launched its new book 'Eaton Socon in the Great War' at its

annual History Exhibition on 3rd and 5th May 2014, as part of the Eaton's annual May Day celebrations. The theme this year was 'Life in the Great War'.

Above - Recycled plants disappearing fast at Sudbury Meadow. 19/10/13

Above - Medieval Fair in the Market Square. 28/07/13

Above - Sue Jarrett with her new booklet at the Medieval Fair. 28/07/13

Above - Part of ESCA's History Exhibition. 05/05/14

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EVA hosted another successful St George's day event at the Coneygeare

on 14th April.

2.2.4. Local Environmental Quality (B4)

Maintaining street cleanliness, controlling dog fouling, removing graffiti on public items and removing fly-posting is largely the responsibility of HDC. Street cleansing in the town centre is carried out Monday-Friday by a full time employee. St Neots in Bloom encourages residents and businesses to clean up their frontages, through press releases and annual competitions. St Neots Town Council litter picks and empties waste bins at least once a week throughout its sites, with popular sites having two clean-ups.

Litter picks are also organised by community groups around the town. Priory Park Friends Group hold an annual litter pick at Priory Park - See section 2.1.5. At Love's Farm, Phyllis Hooper runs regular SMART events to tidy up parts of the estate and has a growing band of participants. In Eaton Socon, ESCA completely renovated Bunny Lane, an ancient sunken lane running parallel to Nelson Road.

Above - Hundreds of people attended the May Day celebrations at Eaton Socon Green on 5

th May. 05/05/14

Above - Start of St George's Day celebrations at the Coneygeare. 14/04/14

Left - Volunteers deep in the undergrowth at Bunny Lane. Right - Some of the rubbish collected (the Blue wheelie was for transport only!) 13/11/13

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ESCA also continues to hold its annual Neat Street competition which will take place in

late July 2014. It encourages neighbours to get together and remove weeds and litter from pavements and gutters, maintain their frontages and make sure pavements are not obstructed. Spencer Close won in 2013.

St Neots in Bloom is still trying to find out who, if anyone, is the owner of a small triangle of land next to the flood prevention scheme culvert at the River Bridge. Local Authorities are reluctant to accept responsibility for vegetation management and regular litter picks, although SNTC has continued an occasional litter pick.

2.2.5. Pride of Place (B5)

SNTC has replaced the metal railings around the Memorial Garden at St Neots St Mary's churchyard as the original railings beginning to rust away. The new railings will compliment the planting around the memorial. The judges will see the result during their tour. The Council has also been in long running negotiations with HDC's planning dept. and contractors to repair the listed Day Column in the Market Square. Work is now underway to ensure this historic light column will survive for many more years.

ESCA has recently co-ordinated the positioning of two new 'Butterfly' benches in the Eatons, donated by relatives of a young lady who passed away earlier this year. The group also instigated the manufacture and installation of a replica 'Festival of Britain' Village sign for Eaton Socon Green last year. Bedfordshire provided 150 signs for its villages in 1951, but the original disappeared when Eaton Socon moved from Bedfordshire to Huntingdonshire (and now Cambridgeshire!). The new sign was unveiled on 18th September.

St Neots has many information signs helping residents and visitors to find their way around the town and its green spaces. They are mostly maintained by HDC, SNTC and several voluntary groups.

2.3. Community Participation (C)

2.3.1. Development and Continuity (C1)

As a fully constituted, voluntary group, St Neots in Bloom is dependent on the good will and time of its elected committee. By holding an open AGM every year, there is an opportunity for new people to join in and community ideas to be gathered. The campaign focuses on promoting and supporting the initiatives of other groups, rather than creating duplicates, which ensures the continuity of projects. Its own projects are only developed if they are sustainable, either financially or in-kind.

2.3.2. Communication and Education (C2)

St Neots in Bloom has continued to promote its campaign over the last twelve months. Press coverage has been less successful than in previous years, but a new local

Above - New historic sign on Eaton Socon Green. 20/09/13

Right - One of several attractive information signs around Riverside Park. (HDC) 19/04/14

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newsletter, 'Think Local', run by Joanne Oxenham, has promoted our activities to 8000 households in the town. Joanne also runs the website Aboutmyarea.co.uk/PE19, which has also featured our activities. A St Neots in Bloom website www.snib.btik.co.uk has

continued to be developed by Alison Pearson, whilst our Facebook page, managed by Katie Baldwin and Ian Webb, is gradually attracting more 'likes'.

Articles promoting the campaign have been published in 'ESCAN', ESCA's newsletter and in EVA's newsletter as well as the new SNTC newsletter 'Your Town'.

All schools have been kept up-to-date through mail shots, e-mail and phone calls from our schools liaison, Lin Buck.

Last year's Anglia in Bloom certificates have been added to the display at The Priory Centre to help promote the initiative.

Alison Pearson continues to represent St Neots in Bloom at the Town Centre Initiative's Redevelopment and Environment Group. She also maintains links with its Promotion and Tourism group, providing information when appropriate.

St Neots in Bloom also promoted the campaign very successfully at a Christmas Tree Festival, held at The United Reform Church. Our tree was dressed with sustainable decorations.

2.3.3. Community Participation (C3)

St Neots in Bloom presented an Environment Improvement Certificate to Ivan Smith

during its November AGM. Ivan has spent many years voluntarily maintaining a Remembrance Garden at St Neots St Mary's Parish Church, although he has recently given up grass cutting. Ivan is a keen gardener and has propagated many plants from his own garden over the years to add to the display at the Remembrance Garden.

ESCA has taken over the maintenance of three concrete tubs at Monarch Road, from volunteer Brian Payne, who was unable to continue his community improvement work.

Left - St Neots in Bloom certificates at The Priory Centre. 14/02/14 Right - Our 'Sustainabilitree' at the Christmas Tree Festival. 07/12/13

Above - ESCA volunteers planting Monarch Road tubs. 11/11/13

Above - Ivan Smith receiving his certificate from Mayor, Andrew Hansard. 29/11/13.

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Bulbs and shrubs were planted during the autumn. The community group also bought and planted thousands of bulbs around the Eatons.

The awards for St Neots in Bloom's Best Front Garden competition in 2013 were presented in August, although the competition was judged on 29th June. The competition is being run again this year to encourage colourful front gardens and judging will take place on 23/24 July. An entry form has been distributed to 8000 homes via new publication 'Think Local'. Information is also available on our website and Facebook page.

2.3.4. Year-Round Involvement (C4)

St Neots in Bloom has maintained year-round interest in the campaign through press releases, articles and its annual competitions and awards, as detailed throughout this portfolio. A display of publicity items will be available for the judges to see at the end of their tour.

2.3.5. Funding and Support (C5)

Fund raising is not easy in St Neots as there are so many community groups competing for limited resources. Fortunately St Neots in Bloom has managed its funds carefully again this year and has been able to finance committee expenses for producing this portfolio and purchase hand tools for Bushmead Primary School.

Waitrose is a key supporter, providing £450 of sponsorship in return for the use of advertising inserts above summer hanging baskets along the river bridge and in the Market Square.

St Neots Town Council - Funds St Neots' entry to Anglia in Bloom, the printing of our portfolio and also the certificates for last year's competitions. It also funds all the town's hanging baskets, including those at the Priory Centre, and bedding displays. Its grounds maintenance team continues to work hard keeping their grounds clean, tidy and cared for, supporting our campaign wherever possible.

The Priory Centre manager Steve Barrett has supported St Neots in Bloom with free use of a room for the judges visit in 2013 and free refreshments for SNIB's AGM on 21st November 2013.

Huntingdonshire District Council staff continue to support the In Bloom campaign through bedding displays, street cleansing and public park maintenance. HDC Countryside Service Rangers have also helped by maintaining key wildlife sites.

Old Market Court, a private retirement/sheltered housing complex, is supporting us by providing a venue for the start and finish of the 2014 judges' tour and also refreshments.

Above left - Cathy Reeves in her winning garden. 08/08/13 Above right - Martin Cox whose garden came a close second. 08/08/13

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3. Proposals July 2014 - June 2015

Continue to work with local authorities to maintain public floral displays through the coming year whilst coping with budget cut-backs.

Continue efforts to engage with the growing population.

Continue to support local biodiversity wherever possible, including progressing the Cemetery Sedum trial.

Continue to have an input to the development and offer of St Neots through several Town Centre Initiative sub-groups and the Town Team.

4. Sponsors, Supporters and Contacts

Sponsors and supporters

(Financial and in-kind)

Waitrose.

Huntingdonshire District Council.

St Neots Town Council.

The Priory Centre.

St Neots Town Centre Management Group.

ESCA (Eaton's Community Association) and Chairman, Sue Jarrett.

EVA (Eynesbury Village Association).

Love's Farm Community Association.

Friends of Sudbury Meadow.

The Pightle Millennium Green trustees.

Joanne Oxenham and her team who maintain the PE19 website and publish 'Think Local'.

St Neots and District Gardening Club.

T. L. Cobbold (funeral directors) - Best Front Garden sponsorship

John Banks, HFR Banks and Son (Nursery supplying St Neots Town Council)

Barbara Braybrook (Best Front Garden judge)

Christine Elmes (Volunteer at Police Memorial Garden, Best Front Garden judge).

David Usher (Best Front Garden judge, St Neots and District Gardening Club).

The Hillings (residential care home) and Activities Co-ordinator, Joe Ballard.

Old Market Court (retirement/sheltered flats complex) and Manager, Yvonne Howard.

Non- committee photo providers for portfolio:-

Sue Jarrett

HDC

Round House Primary Academy

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St Neots in Bloom Contacts

Lin Buck - Hon. Secretary

4 Clover Road, Eaton Socon, St Neots, PE19 8HD

Tel: 01480 383381

Email: lin.buck@ntlworld.com

Alison Pearson - Chairperson

4 Kipling Place, Eaton Ford, St Neots. PE19 7RG

Tel: 01480 374792

Mob: 07771 712934

Email: Alison.pearson@dpconsultant.co.uk

Tom McCormick - Vice-chairman

Mob: 07900 337675

Cultivating Pride in our Town

Above - Poppies at Sudbury Meadow. 18/06/14