BLOOMIN' MARVELLOUS

 

This was one member's summing up, with a grin on his face, of what we had heard from Lyn Tomlinson and Mary Sinclair-Powell about Ross in Bloom. They had centre stage for our April meeting and explained just what Ross In Bloom was all about.

 

Apparently this was the largest meeting that they had spoken to - there were just on 100 members and visitors present, but this did not throw them.  They told us of the overall conception, how it linked with Britain In Bloom and how the aim is to spread community pride, in our own gardens, in our neighbourhood, on the street and in the town - in fact, wherever we might go.

 

They went on to tell us that the colour scheme for this year is gold, silver and bronze. Not as difficult as one imagines when told that this can be yellow, white and orange.  Not that we, as gardeners are tied to these colours!  Especially as with entry to this years competition (entry forms available from Heritage Centre, Ross Garden Store and Lucas Cycles) we receive a token to be spent at Ross Garden Store.

 

What did surprise us, was that all this work is down to a steering team of four ladies ably assisted by volunteers!  Well done to all concerned.

 

We were let into the secret problems of being a judge, when one gorgeous

garden was spotted, and it turned out (on closer inspection)to be all artificial.

When one garden was identified, possibly for a prize, and on return had gone.

(The residents had moved house, and garden too.)  And our favourite, where

a mobile home was a festival of flowers, and by the time the final judgement

was due, both the house and the garden had disappeared!

 

Our redoubtable pair fielded questions, and one gentleman was mightily relieved when he found out that his garden was outside the remit, being in one of the district villages - that is until he was 'volunteered' to go to help everyone else!

 

The work of Ross in Bloom carries on beyond the summer period, the painting of the mural along the fencing was, in part, down to them, as is the cleaning up of 'Pig's Alley', a job already in the pipeline.

 

We all thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and a vote of thanks was given - and several people requested entry forms. So, just keep an eye on your neighbours, are they members of Ross & District U3A? If so, you might see an unexpected improvement in their front gardens this year!

 

If you would like to join our U3A please telephone our membership secretary on

567789, or visit our website on www.rossu3a.org.uk. Alternatively you can come

to our monthly general meeting at the Larruperz Centre on the third Monday of

the month at 2.30 in the afternoon. Our next meeting is Monday 18th May and

the speaker is Ellie Targett talking about 'Another Man's Shoes'. You will be

made very welcome.