Experts inspect blooming wonderful restoration of Hotham Park

New-look Hotham Park faced its first official scrutiny when floral experts toured the Bognor Regis beauty spot.

The two South and South East in Bloom judges started their tour of the town in the valued open space.

They were able to see the difference made by the 2.2m restoration work, largely funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, in getting rid of the derelict former Rainbow's End site and making other changes.

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This work was still going on during last year's judging for the regional floral competition.

One of the judges visit, Robin Potter, also visited in 2008.

He said as he set off from the park lodge with fellow judge Fiona Phillips: "I expect to see some large changes in the park. The work was in its early stages when I visited last time.

"I remember there was a pretty high standard around the town then. This year has seen some dry weather so we will be looking out for plants which will survive the conditions rather than ones which will dry out after ten minutes."

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Ms Phillips said: "We will be looking at all aspects of conservation, good quality floral displays, community participation and environmental care."

The result of their judging will be revealed in September.

Phillipa Dart, Arun's head of parks and greenspace, said she believed Bognor stood a good chance of improving on last year's silver gilt award and top place in the coastal category.

"Bognor is looking fantastic for this judging and I think Hotham Park is amazing. The work to achieve this has been a real partnership. One of the things we have done is to look at the impact of climate change.

"That is why we have chosen plants which can withstand dry conditions for the war memorial flower beds," she said.

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"That's one of the challenges we have to overcome '“ putting in sustainable planting for the future."

As well as the park, the judges spent about three hours on a tour which took in the Butlins entrance, sites in Chichester Road, South Bersted CoE Primary School with its eco-flag status, the Royal Norfolk Hotel, the town hall war memorial and the William Hardwicke pub and the Arcade in the town centre.

They were joined by Arun District Council's chairman, Don Ayling, and Eileen Anderson, the town mayor of Bognor Regis, to emphasise the joint nature of the work which had made the town such a blooming hotspot.

Volunteers who had worked with the councils were also present.

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