Flower bed contest brightens up town

The colourful site was planted this week by the young winners of a competition to show the town at its blooming best.

The display by Jasmine Petworth, of 1st Bognor Regis Guides, uses flowers to reflect the fruits and vegetables grown in this country.

Begonias have been planted in the shape of a strawberry and an apple, while a carrot will be represented by marigolds. Busy lizzies will also be in the apple.

Lemon balm will represent the green leaves at the top of the produce.

The display in the Gloucester Road gardens is the result of an annual competition run by the Bognor Regis in Bloom working party with the town’s guiding units.

Janet Erkiert, the division commissioner, said: “The guides love doing this competition. They feel part of the community and it’s good for them to have targets. The units go into great depth and learn about the plants and the guides enjoy seeing their work on display.”

The flowerbed measures some 20sq m in a crescent around the central area of the gardens.

It will form part of the town’s entry into this year’s South and South East in Bloom competition when the judges visit on July 12.

Mrs Erkiert collected Jasmine’s certificate from town mayor Paul Wells because she was unable to attend Tuesday’s planting.

The winners of the Brownies’ and Rainbows’ competitions were present and helped to dig in the plants.

Heather Love and Holly Woodruff, both eight, of 3rd Bognor Regis Brownies, submitted a joint entry with a rainbow-shaped display to win their prize.

Heather said: “I’m happy to have won. I’ll be coming down here to see the display I have planted.”

The Rainbows section was won by Millie Towse, seven, of 3rd Felpham Rainbows. “My display featured peas, tomatoes and carrots in two lines of fruit and vegetable,” she said.

The designs by Heather and Holly and Millie will be made into posters to advertise South and South East in Bloom.

Cllr Wells praised the hard work of those involved.