Aldwick's top honours

The Aldwick in Bloom helpers gained one of the highest regional accolades possible for their flowers.

They were given silver gilt status in the elite champion of champions category of the 2007 South and South East in Bloom competition.

Only one other rank '“ the gold won by Fareham '“ is above Aldwick's award to the delight of stalwart co-ordinator Delia Jones.

She said: 'This is a real success for us. It makes all the effort we put into the competition completely worthwhile.

'Aldwick in Bloom is a real community effort and we have done exceptionally well. That's due to all the wonderful clubs and societies who put in so much work as well as many individuals.'

Parish councillor Brian Dodd, resident Paul Bignell and the Russell Hotel are typical of those who help, she commented.

The award was announced in a ceremony at Crawley and augurs well for the Britain in Bloom awards later in September.

This year was the first time Aldwick had been invited to enter the regional champion of champions section because of the parish's success in winning the urban community category in the previous two years.

Aspects commented upon by the judges after their visit in July were Marine Park Gardens, the hanging baskets at Jordans butchers in Rose Green, Rose Green Infant School, the Rose Green allotments and the efforts of individual householders.

The parish-wide success was complemented by a silver gilt award in the competition's parks section for Marine Park Gardens.

The judges were full of praise for the seafront site. They said: 'This small park has improved immensely in recent times. The judges were pleased to see the renaissance.

'The judges were suitably impressed and were pleased to award silver gilt and suggest, if new planting is considered, a gold is not far away.'

'¢ Bognor Regis gained a silver success in the South and South East in Bloom champions of champions category. The judges said: 'The quality of Bognor's public parks and open spaces is very good, colourful and well-maintained.'

They praised the efforts of Bognor Regis Town Council's Town Force workers and the In Bloom committee for their work.

Areas of special praise included the roundabout floral displays, the William Hardwicke pub, the Arcade and South Bersted CoE Primary School as well as Gay Tiernan's b and b in Chichester Road.

Scope for improvement was more permanent planting in residential areas and extra wildflower areas in schools.

Bognor in Bloom chairman Cllr Jason Passingham said the result was slightly disappointing after Bognor's past two successes in the coastal resorts section, though it reflected the competition's development into areas such as biodiversity and environmental quality.

'The judges have given us some very helpful feedback and suggestions and at our meeting on Monday we started laying the foundations for our 2008 In Bloom campaign which we hope will be supported by local businesses and residents alike.

'It was nice to see Aldwick obtain a silver gilt and makes us more determined that we not only hope to match them next year but, hopefully, do better.

'It is healthy competition like this that helps all concerned keep their eye on the ball and not let the standards slip,' he stated.