The originators of this great new idea are residents Jan Flynn and Chris Parkyn, who also recently became a Parish Councillor. Their enthusiasm for bringing a bloom to our village has been refreshing and infectious, and already much positive feedback has encouraged Jan and Chris to develop new ideas for village colour and a revival of pride in where we live.

Support for the project has been readily provided by villagers, most notably Joe Downey, Brooke Flynn, Pat Bell and Graham Willis who have generously given their time to feed and water plants and regularly help to maintain and tidy the displays. The Parish Council have generously assisted with some early funding to purchase barrels, planters and flowers.

Jan and Chris hope to be able to add to their small budget with donations from villagers and sponsorship from local businesses to enable planting to continue into next year and beyond, and a group of enthusiastic supporters has been formed to steer the campaign forward. Simon Barratt has kindly volunteered to act as Treasurer, and I will be providing admin, support and general encouragement for the cause.

You too can demonstrate your support by making a small donation to the Bulkington in Bloom cause via Treasurer Simon Barrett at No 9 The Close and by contributing directly with your own ‘blooming bright ideas’ to add colour to our village (all ideas gratefully received and considered). Also, please show your support by coming along to our open village meeting in the Village Hall on Saturday 12 November at 10.30 am to hear what is currently planned and tell us your own ideas. You can even get tea and cakes for a small donation!

Some of the proposals already under discussion are:

• planting at the War Memorial with new flower beds to improve the visual impact – your ideas welcome!
• hanging baskets at key points throughout the village
• promote floral displays in village gardens through gardening advice for villagers interested in developing their own colourful displays via village workshops
• provide professional advice freely given on all aspects of gardening especially hanging basket displays
• consider opportunities for tree planting in verges on approaches to village
• annual fund raising events to support planting
• entering Bulkington in the prestigious RHS ‘Small Village in Bloom’ competition
• litter-picking working parties – thanks already to one or two who have been out and picked already!
• nature conservation through community involvement in local sustainable projects
• annual ‘Open Village Garden’ day
• encouraging youngsters to get planting through events, competitions etc
.......and, for a small donation to the cause, Jan and Chris have also undertaken to water plants and pots for those who are going on holiday so you need worry no longer about faded blooms or wasted veg patches while enjoying yourself in foreign parts. Just let them know before you go and it will be done! Having one of these lovely ladies check over your garden every day while you are away is also a good way to keep a watchful eye on your property for security and peace of mind.