Councillors support Gainsborough In Bloom bid

Organisers of Gainsborough in Bloom are hoping for silver this year after achieving bronze awards for two years’ running.
Vaughan Hughes and Anna Grieve from Gainsborough In Bloom, admire the planter outside the former Guildhall with West Lindsey District Councillors Richy Doran and Gillian Bardsley.Vaughan Hughes and Anna Grieve from Gainsborough In Bloom, admire the planter outside the former Guildhall with West Lindsey District Councillors Richy Doran and Gillian Bardsley.
Vaughan Hughes and Anna Grieve from Gainsborough In Bloom, admire the planter outside the former Guildhall with West Lindsey District Councillors Richy Doran and Gillian Bardsley.

Judging of the annual East Midlands in Bloom competition took place recently, but it will be a while before the results are announced.

Two Gainsborough councillors helped make an extra effort this year to improve the town by giving £700 of their Councillor Initiative Funds to provide colourful planters across the town.

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The Councillor Initiative Fund is available to all 37 district councillors, who have been allocated £4,000 each to spend over two years on projects in their ward.

Coun Richy Doran gave £500 of his fund.

“It’s something for the community,” he said.

“I think what this group is doing is fantastic, tidying the place up and making Gainsborough a nice and pleasant place to visit.”

“A lot of it was a big eyesore, now there are flowers and it’s much more colourful.”

Planters have been put up in the market place, outside the former Guildhall and in Whitton’s Gardens.

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Coun Gillian Bardsley, who donated £200, said: “It’s making the town more colourful and a more pleasant place to be in.”

“I’d like to say well done to everyone who has worked so hard. It would be great to see more people and businesses getting involved next year.”

Gainsborough in Bloom began as a sub-group of Gainsborough Town Partnership, but became its own independent group in January this year.

Secretary Vaughan Hughes said: “We have been looking for funding and the councillors kindly offered to help out, which has helped enormously with providing planters around Gainsborough.”

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Treasurer Anna Grieve added: “In 2011 we won most improved entrant and a bronze award, and in 2012 we received another bronze award. Hopefully 2013 will bring a silver – fingers crossed.”

The group, who are all volunteers, meet every fortnight at 2pm in The Plough Business Hub, in Church Street.

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 14th August.

To find out more, and if you would like to get involved, visit www.gainsboroughinbloom.com

By Claire O’Neill

Twitter: @ClaireyONeill