July has once again come and gone, which means that our local Bloomers have been out showcasing their incredible community-focussed efforts with the Britain in Bloom judges.
Preparations
Due to the challenging weather we have had this year, the Woolwell in Bloom group was weeks behind with this year's planning for the Britain in Bloom competition and had to adapt to what the weather allowed them to do within a shorter timescale.
Soraya Lewis-Coleman, group Chairperson, shared: “The response from the community has been so supportive and so encouraging. We do hope to get Gold this year with our special new projects celebrating 40 years of Woolwell and the 60th anniversary of the Britain in Bloom competition.”
Unfortunately, the pallets that were meant for Woolwell in Bloom’s main new display were stolen, which set them back another six weeks while the police were informed and the theft was investigated. The group wishes to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped to replace the pallets, especially Scott and Ash from Final Detail.
Judging day
Judging day this year fell on 9 July, a wet day with grey skies – not that this could ever dampen the spirits of the Bloomers! Most of the group members were able to congregate at The Woolwell Centre to meet the judges and share their community efforts. Dig-bee, the group mascot, was also in attendance with his smily knitted girlfriend, Flora – there’s much fun to be had with Woolwell in Bloom!
Judges Ian and Richard duly arrived; Ian proved to be a familiar face as he also judged Woolwell’s efforts back in 2021. After a quick briefing, Soraya then led them around the local area, where other volunteers were waiting to explain more about each local display. These included an ornamental well decorated with woollen ornaments (a wool well), the Jubilee Garden (complete with surprise lettuce sprouting through thanks to kind plant donations from the YMCA), the jungle (home to Nacho the gorilla) and an array of the other community sites cared for by Woolwell in Bloom.
“Each garden or area has something different to offer,” explained Soraya. “We like variety so we don’t plant the same things across different areas.”
A woolly surprise
On reaching the ‘wool well’, one of the first stops on the judging tour, the judges were surprised to meet two woolly friends to accompany them during judging. Barbara and Basil the sheep caused quite a stir as the team wandered through the village, giving out plenty of waves and encouraging the odd beep from passing drivers. They were very interested to discover Ian and Richard’s favourite types of vegetable, which unanimously turned out to be the humble carrot, and they were also keen to share that they were putting the wool in Woolwell for the day!
Cream tea – how do you like yours?
Following judging, everyone returned to The Woolwell Centre for a short presentation by Soraya and a fabulous cream tea – which of course sparked the inevitable discussion of whether cream or jam should be added first. (A note of warning here: it’s best not to ask Bloomer’s Steve for advice on this, as he believes everything tastes better with a fried egg and we wouldn’t advise that for your cream tea!)
Soraya was very keen to praise the fabulous team that has been brought together to make up Woolwell in Bloom over the previous five or six years – from watching a programme on Britain in Bloom and deciding that she wanted Woolwell to be part of it, Soraya (with the unwavering support of her husband, Pete) has worked tirelessly to grow the group.
“I am so grateful to each and every one of you for the support that you give and the work that you do,” explained Soraya. It was at this point that she was presented with a beautiful bouquet of roses by the rest of the Bloomers, an emotional moment which caused her to shed a few tears.
The judges
Both Ian and Richard were hugely complimentary about the work of Woolwell in Bloom and the areas they saw. Ian, with the benefit of having visited before, was also able to comment on the incredible growth that has taken place since he was last in the village – he was impressed with how much development has taken place.
As for the results, it will now be a long three month wait for the team to discover how they place in the 2024 competition – as ever, they are hoping for Gold and the Plym Links team wishes them every success!
Get involved
There is also ways room for more Bloomers in this very friendly group. For more information, email Soraya at woolwellinbloom@gmail.com or stop any of the Bloomers in their blue tops for an informal chat.
Other news from Woolwell in Bloom – surprise nominations
In June, Woolwell in Bloom received two certificates from the recently held South Hams Council Community Awards. They were nominated by the community for the work they do with the community gardens. Sadly they did not win this time, but it was the first year that the awards have been held. Soraya Lewis-Coleman was also nominated in the Community Champion session of the awards. She said: “This was a total surprise to me! I feel very proud to have been nominated by our group and the community too.”