Community effort does them proud

Delia Jones, who has been at the helm of Aldwick's floral organisation for the past 14 years, said this week that she was very proud of the achievement which topped the bronze award the village won last year in the urban community category of the competition.

'Everybody in Aldwick is so pleased, we have all worked extremely hard as have all the volunteers involved.'

From every village organisation which played a part in its success from the Aldwick Green Conservation Society, the Aldwick Preservation Society, the Allotment Residents Association and all the shop keepers, to the parish council, Rose Green Infant School and residents, all said Mrs Jones had made 'a very impressive show'.

Praise also went out to Nick Baker, the village community police officer for the efforts he put in to making sure the village was litter and graffiti free which the judges were pleased to see. Friends of Marine Park Gardens, which won a special award and which was formed last year, also came in for special thanks for maintaining and helping in every way, as did Jean and Brian Dodd for their work in Rose Green.

And a new tree group run by Colin Crouch helped provide an ' impressive part of the portfolio' with new planting in Gossamer Road.

A wild theme was also an advantage said Mrs Jones, in providing the judges with plenty to see in all areas.

The Russell Hotel provided lunch and tea for both the South East in Bloom and Britain in Bloom finals.

'It was an extremely generous way of greeting the judges with joy,' she said.

'I think everybody needs a mention, all of Aldwick plays a part in this and this is our best effort to date.'

Paul Bignell from Aldwick Preservation Society concluded: 'I think it is wonderful that a small village like Aldwick with so much community spirit gets invited to enter Britain in Bloom and having Aldwick and Bognor Regis, two places so close to each other, in the winners' list is brilliant.'

Putting on a fantastic floral show in Bognor Regis also gave the town much to rejoice about in taking a bronze award in the coastal category.

Delighted if not slightly disappointed after winning a silver award in South East in Bloom, the town is still justifiably proud of receiving bronze in the finals of Britain in Bloom.

Bognor Regis Town Council projects and IT officer Paul Beckerson appealed for more volunteers to help in the town's horitcultural efforts

On Tuesday evening it was the turn of Bognor Regis residents and traders to share in the success of its own Bognor in Bloom competition with a special awards ceremony at Bognor Regis Town Hall.

n See next week's Bognor Regis Observer for a full list of

winners.