Sidmouth booklet aims to impress SW Bloom judges

All systems go for South West in Bloom judging next week

THE Royal Horticultural Society judges for this year’s South West in Bloom contest will be in Sidmouth next week, armed with a 15-page booklet showing the hard work put into the project by Sidmouth in Bloom.

Supporter Terry Yorke put together the double-sided booklet; which judges Kim Parish and Martin Abraham have already received, that depicts everything from wildlife areas and the fish display at the Three Cornered Plot, to the Connaught Gardens area planted by local schools and support given by the Sidmouth Herald.

Sidmouth in Bloom president Joy Seward, who, with other committee members, will accompany judges on their two-and-a-half-hour visit to the town, will begin the tour at Woolcombe House, where the judges will meet town council chairman Councillor Peter Sullivan and Sid Vale Association president Denzil Taylor and chairman, Handel Bennett.

Joy said: “We have managed to fit in All Saints Infants School and Sidmouth Infants.

“It is very difficult to go to all the places we would want show the judges in the time allowed, but we have to show them the efforts made by various members of the community.”

She said the committee had worked hard to clean up the Lawn Vista area and dig up weeds at a town centre car park.

“I hope everyone will do their bit; whether it is their job or not, to pick up rubbish and weeds.”

With cutbacks at East Devon District Council, the Bloom committee has taken on six extra small flower beds in areas around Sidmouth, plus six large pots.

Joy, pictured with the booklet given to RHS judges, said: “It is difficult when you have to find someone to water these. With a small committee we don’t have time to be able to do these, so I am grateful for anyone to take on watering displays near them.”