Blooms team forced to branch out for funds

FLORAL displays in Steyning have been given a generous boost, thanks to members of the horticultural society – but much more money is needed.

The Steyning in Bloom team is facing a huge challenge this year, as most of the funding from local authorities has been withdrawn.

So, they were delighted to receive a £200 donation from Steyning Horticultural Society this week.

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Charles Ashby, chairman of the society, presented In Bloom committee members Jill Burstow and Elisabeth Harden with a cheque.

They said the donation would be used to help fund the floral displays around the town.

The successful Steyning In Bloom team have been providing wonderful flowers for more than 20 years and have won the South East in Bloom small town award in the past.

Elisabeth said: “We have always had fund-raising events in the past and this has been topped up by funding from Horsham District Council.

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“Due to the cutbacks, this council money has been withdrawn, but we still receive welcome support from Steyning Parish Council, the Steyning Business Chamber and other generous donors.”

The team is looking forward to an exciting year ahead, building on their past successes, including filling the streets of Steyning with hanging baskets, flowering tubs and floral decorations outside shops and houses.

During the past year, many new volunteers have come forward to join the In Bloom team, bringing new ideas for the future.

They have already planted numerous bulbs around the town to get the season off to a bright start.

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The In Bloom team feel residents would be willing to help with the much-needed finances and are planning to come up with schemes for sponsors to fund an individual tub or planter within the town.

Steyning In Bloom raises money to fund the plants, the planting and the watering of most of the displays in the town centre.

Members also organise regular cleaning and weeding blitzes of the streets.

Each year, as part of the fund-raising there is a tour of local gardens and a cream tea, giving people a chance to view private gardens where enthusiastic owners have created “green and flower-filled areas of magic”.

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The team also presents awards for front gardens of distinction and for ones that have been highly commended, with a display of names and photos usually mounted in the High Street.

Mr Ashby urges residents to follow his members and send a donation, made payable to Steyning in Bloom, c/o Steyning Parish Council, Fletchers Croft BN44 3XZ.

Last year saw a record 329 entries for South and South East in Bloom and organisers hope community groups will work together to ensure this continues, despite the local authority cuts.

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