'Flowers before people' anger in Rustington

RUSTINGTON'S bid to hold onto its Champion of Champions floral crown has led to the parish council being accused of putting "flowers before people".
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Feb 2010, 08:39 BST
Updated 5th Feb 2010, 08:43 BST

Parish councillors have been asked why about 300 raised through a Christmas carol concert, organised by the council, in December, had been donated to the village's In Bloom campaign.

Charities are suffering

During a public question time at last week's parish council meeting, Linda Beard, chairman of the Zachary Merton Hospital League of Friends, said the 7,000 already allocated to the campaign from council funds should be sufficient.

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"I was very concerned that the collection went to in Bloom. Traditionally, that money has always been for charities, and charities are suffering very much at the moment."

Council chairman, Sue Lines, responded by saying that it had been her decision to give the money to the campaign, and that she felt the competition benefited both residents and visitors.

Benefit to local children

"It is not only for flowers. Lots and lots of money goes towards helping the schools and other village organisations.

"It will benefit as many people as possible, and my main aim was working with local children."

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Using her own organisations an example of funding issues, Mrs Beard said that over Christmas, the league had spent 390 on gifts for patients and nurses at the hospital, as well as donating a further 100 towards the cost of a Christmas party at Pepperville House outpatients unit, in Littlehampton.

"Do you really think that more flowers for Rustington is better than giving to people in need?" she asked.

Councillor Graham Tyler said that, as Pepperville House was in Littlehampton, the Zachary Merton League of Friends should not feel obliged to contribute.

Grant funding

Mrs Line added: "If Zachary Merton, at any time, felt that the League of Friends would like to apply for a grant from the council, I am sure we would always consider it, if that would help towards presents for next Christmas, or some other project that they have."

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Rustington was named Champion of Champions in last year's South and South East In Bloom competition.

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