Blooming success for Aldwick

The two South and South East In Bloom judges spent a day touring the parish's blooming hotspots to assess its chances in this year's competition.

Aldwick has been placed in the contest's champion of champions category because of its successes in topping the urban communities section in the past two years.

Lead judge Peter Holman said: "It's been a well put together tour and we have seen everything we wanted to see.

"The floral displays have been an absolute delight and to finish in the wonderful Marine Park Gardens leaves us wanting more.

"It is the jewel in the crown which is quite superb.

"I judged Aldwick in 2001 and it's wonderful to see how it has come on in leaps and bounds in the past nine years."

Mr Holman and fellow judge Ian White visited Rose Green shops, Rose Green Infant School, the Aldwick Bay Estate, Aldwick Duck Pond and Aldwick Green as well as the gardens.

Their current centrepiece is a 70th anniversary tribute to the Battle of Britain.

This year's in bloom bid is being staged by Aldwick Parish Council rather than volunteers.

Council vice chairman Brian Dodd said: "We are up against some tough competition this year but everyone has done their best.

"I know the judges were impressed by the flowers in Rose Green and the infant school has a superb sensory garden.

"We have a lot of people and groups who have helped and I'm happy with the way the entry has gone."

He pointed out the parish council would only spend about 1,000 on the entry, thanks to the community-wide effort, compared to the tens of thousands and upwards of its rivals.

Mr Holman and Mr White also assessed Marine Park Gardens and the Aldwick Bay Estate for separate In Bloom awards.