Days of judgement for town’s blooms

From 10am on Monday, July 16 Jean Griffin and Christine Aldous will be in Little Common to judge its entry in the Small Village Category.

And they will also look at Egerton Park and The Polegrove in Bexhill, both entered in the Parks category.

The following day, Tuesday, July 17, Barry Newman and David Shaw will tour Bexhill to assess its entry in the Coastal Category.

The welcoming party for the judges will meet at The Cooden Beach Hotel, where owner James Kimber is kindly sponsoring refreshments.

Sandy Melvin, chairman of Bexhill in Bloom, said: “Our town has so much to offer.

“I’d like to appeal to everyone to help brighten up the town, by putting out tubs and hanging baskets, not just for the judging dates but for the summer.

The judges’ tour will also take in the winner of the Youth Competition, which this year is to Plant A Garden Depicting the Olympics.

Entry forms for Bexhill in Bloom can be collected from the Bexhill Observer Office in Sackville Road, and completed forms returned there by the closing date of June 30.

Sandy is also opening her garden at 294 Turkey Road next Saturday, May 19, from 11am to 4pm, for local people and visitors to have a look round.

The event will be officially opened at 2pm by Brett MacLean, Lord of Hastings.

The admission fee of £5 includes a strawberry cream tea.

Gardening items and plants will be for sale, and there will be a fund-raising raffle in aid of Bexhill in Bloom.

Sandy’s garden is now the site of the famous Shredded Wheat Clock, which adds an extra dimension to this wild woodland garden in natural habitat.

The Bexhill in Bloom committee is seeking a seven-seater vehicle for the judges’ visit on July 17 to take them round Bexhill.

Also required is a vehicle for Bexhill Carnival to take the princesses around the town. If anyone can help, please contact 01424 844641.