By The Editor
What an effort the people of Tilling Green are putting in to help Rye win the Britain in Bloom Competition.
I was brought up on the estate and friendships made then have lasted me for over fifty years. In the “Fifties” there was great camaraderie on Tilling Green and I am pleased to see it still exists today.
All over the estate there are bursts of colour, the efforts made by some gardeners are a picture to behold. Neighbour has helped neighbour with advice and, when needed, practical effort. I discovered several cases of neighbours mowing next door’s lawn because of illness or disability. Not everyone have entered the Rye in Bloom competition, which is a forerunner to the South East in Bloom and Britain in Bloom Judging. It seems that almost everyone I talked with are making a special effort to get their gardens looking grand for July and August.
The build up to the big day saw the arrival of the long awaited baskets at Station Approach. Ten new floral displays were mounted on lamp posts to greet everyone who arrives in Rye by car, train or bus. Two years of hard fund raising have allowed the Rye in Bloom group to purchase the new environmentally friendly baskets complete with their own water reservoir and will pay for the planting and maintenance. Local businesses have been extremely generous with donations and raffle prizes, Rye Town Council also kindly contributed to this years Britain in Bloom efforts.
To reflect our heritage the new baskets have been planted in the colours of the Cinque Ports Standard, Red, Blue and Gold with a touch of Silver using Petunia Designer Red Velvet, Anagalis Skylover, Geranium Galleria Ruby Red, Bidens Peters Gold Carpet and Lysimachia Goldilocks.
John Bunny, Manager of Budgens, has also thrown himself wholeheartedly behind Rye’s Britain in Bloom campaign by decorating the supermarket with beautiful new baskets and troughs which are a credit to him and his staff. What a great example! The Rye Heritage Centre is also lending its support with some great new planting and Jenny Sperring of the Rye Retreat has done wonders with the front of the Police Station and her own premises. Many other businesses in Rye are busy planting and the whole town is becoming more colourful by the day.
Shop owners who are unable to plant pots or containers are being asked to consider decorating their windows with relevant produce at the time of the judging. Gardening items, floral accessories, anything that shows the judges we are working together as a town. Remember, Tuesday 13 July for South East in Bloom and Tuesday 3 August for the national Britain in Bloom competition. The Hotel and Caterers Association have generously funded some “Welcome to Rye” cards that will be distributed at the beginning of July.
Thursday 24 June is the last date for entering the local Rye in Bloom competition with the judging taking place in the week commencing 28 June. Please return your entry form to Sweet Williams, The Rye Partnership, The Library or Tilling Green Newsagent if you wish to enter.
Going For Gold
Rye’s final and most serious “push” must take place this month to bring the town up to scratch for our South East and Britain in Bloom judging.
On Tuesday 13 July at approximately 9 o’clock in the morning the first of the judging visits will take place. Mr. Peter Holman and Mr. Geoff Hyde will meet the In Bloom committee and then tour Rye with Lorna Hall and Sue Manktelow, and inspect Rye’s entry in the South and South East In Bloom competition. Our competitors in this category include Battle, Cobham, Cranbrook, Hampden Park, Hawkhurst and Stanwell Village, Bishops Waltham, Botley, Denmead, Liphook, Shaftesbury and Wareham. First thing in the morning on Tuesday 3 August Rye will again be visited by the Britain in Bloom judges Bob Sweet and Ian Wilson who will be making an even closer inspection.
The In Bloom Committee are hoping for the full support in the town from everyone with a business or home. There is still just about time to hang out a basket or plant up a pot. If you are unable to do this then maybe you could help with a litter pick just before the judging (These are more fun than they sound!) Or even just a quick sweep in front of your own premises. Any effort will be a help to Rye. Please call Lorna Hall on 229808 with your offers and assistance.
Rye’s Own July 2004
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