Soraya Lewis-Coleman - Chairman of Woolwell in Bloom

As you read the Oct/Nov edition of Plym Links, Soraya and her team of volunteers should know if Woolwell has been successful in the national competition that recognises the efforts of amateur community gardeners throughout the UK.

The idea of a Woolwell in Bloom project came about after Soraya had been watching the Britain in Bloom series on TV in 2018.

‘I was watching the penultimate programme which featured an estate and I sat there thinking “We could do this”,’ she said.

To start with, Soraya needed to get a series of consents from the parish council, South Hams District Council, Plymouth City Council and Devon County’s highways department to site the various floral displays - a task she described as ‘a massive learning curve’.

She acts as chairman and secretary on the group’s small committee, while husband Pete is treasurer. They were lucky enough to receive some grant funding to get the movement under way - then Soraya was struck down by potentially fatal diverticulitis in April 2019.

Soraya said: ‘At one point they gave me just two hours to live - I’d gone from gardening on the Wednesday to hospital by the weekend, then eight and a half hours of major surgery. I lost so much weight people couldn’t believe the change in me!’

Apparently the culprit in this frightening experience was sweetcorn: ‘Needless to say I don’t eat it any more,’ Soraya laughed, paying tribute to her family, friends and Bloom volunteers who were all ‘amazing’ during this time.

Following Soraya’s recuperation and despite last summer’s coronavirus lockdown, the spirit of Woolwell in Bloom was kept alive and well, even though the competition didn’t take place, as the volunteers still maintained the floral displays while allowed out for their daily exercise.

Soraya worked hard to get Woolwell in Bloom registered as a charity during Covid restrictions and as soon as they were eased in April this year, she and her gardening volunteers started work on the 17 floral displays in the neighbourhood, which include the garden at the Woolwell Centre, the doctors’ surgery and Bambino’s nursery. Judging day was held in July 14th, which gave them just three months to get everything ready.

‘It was a phenomenal day, it exceeded everybody’s expectations,’ said Soraya, who said the response from residents to their efforts was ‘phenomenal’.

One of the main problems faced by her gardening team has been working out which plants would be deer-proof. Deer are a common sight in Woolwell, often seen grazing on the verges and chomping away in front gardens.

‘Over the years I have worked out what they don’t like much - things like geraniums, lavender and begonias - but they absolutely love roses!’ she said.

Around 17 volunteers maintain the plants, flower beds and displays, most from Woolwell itself, though a few are from further afield.

‘We are a very relaxed group - I send out a message every week and I never know on the morning who I will see. They are an amazing bunch of ladies and gents, nothing would have happened without them. I’ve done lots of voluntary work in the past and they are the most brilliant group I have ever worked with. Some like the physical side of the gardening, for some it’s the wellbeing side and some are just nuts about gardening.’

The results of the judges deliberations are due to be released in October - meanwhile, Soraya is keeping her fingers crossed for good news. Her determination is quite something for someone who had never planted anything until about five years ago.

‘Until then Pete had always been the gardener, although I have always been creative. Knitting is the love of my life,’ Soraya said, showing me pictures of prize-winning knitted creations like baskets of harvest produce and even a cream tea!

Having been born and raised in Plymouth, she happily describes herself as a ‘Janner’ and her husband, two sons and now grandchildren mean everything to her. Two of her most special days were seeing son Nicholas receive the Military Cross at just 20 years of age following service in Iraq, and seeing older son Alexander pass out from Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.

She met Pete when she was 17 - he was best man at her best friend’s wedding, while she was chief bridesmaid - they’ve now been married over 40 years.

‘He’s my soulmate and my best friend,’ said Soraya.

By Jane Honey