Ottery won’t be in bloom this year as without a chairman the town hasn’t entered into a prestigious horticultural competition this year.

Volunteers and helpers were out in Ottery St Mary creating displays and planters of flowers, but have decided not to enter ‘South West in Bloom’ this year, despite recent successes.

Ottery in Bloom is without a chairman and some of the planter structures in the town are in serious disrepair, but with the assistance of local groups they have been able to enhance the area for visitors and residents alike this summer.

Otter Nurseries, as in previous years, has donated the display on the bridge over the river Otter, which for 2011 is in the colours of the British Legion, celebrating its 90th Anniversary.

Local clubs such as Rotary, Lions and Inner Wheel, and businesses such as Esso garage in Hind Street have sponsored individual planters and will help to water and maintain them throughout the season.

Similarly individuals and families in the Butts Road and Slade Road areas have agreed to be responsible for maintaining their local displays, and a number of Ottery Guides earned their horticulture badge by assisting with planting out the blooms in Canaan Way.

But the group, who won two Silver Medals in the last two years at ‘South West in Bloom’, want to make improvements throughout the town to try and enter next year, hopefully with additional funds promised from Ottery’s new supermarket

Ottery in Bloom is also looking for ideas or new locations for planting for 2012 and anyone can drop them into the Town Council Offices.