Littlehampton returns to competition in stunning fashion

Volunteers had been slaving for months, working on flower beds, pruning bushes and perfecting window box displays around the town. And it appears all that hard work was worth it.

Members of the town’s In Bloom committee, chairman Margaret Boulton, Tyndall Jones, Stella Porter, Rosemary and Bruce Porter and Alan Humphrey, alongside Littlehampton Town and Arun District Council officers Rosie Parfitt and Oliver Handson, succeeded in encouraging residents and businesses to join in the drive for floral glory.

Margaret said: “It’s a splendid result and only goes to prove what happens when local council officers and all the member of the community co-operate.

“Thank you to all the members of this special community of Littlehampton for their enormous effort in contributing to our success.”

Littlehampton was competing in the “Large Town” category – the same division it triumphed in 2010’s South and South East in Bloom competition.

Judges praised the town for its cleanliness and strong community, particularly in Mewsbrook Park.

A host of work went into this year’s entry, which focused on three central themes: horticultural impact, environmental responsibility and community involvement.

Projects included replanting of the sensory garden at Marina Garden, wildflower planting at Brookfield Park, a window display of floral-themed knitted items by community groups, and the creation of a rockery and new bee and butterfly garden, at Mewsbrook Park, by members of the Mewsbrook Park Community Support Group.

Arun District Council’s cabinet member for environmental services councillor Paul Dendle said: “It has been wonderful to see so many exciting projects springing up in Littlehampton over the past year.

“The Littlehampton in Bloom Committee has been doing some fantastic work in encouraging the community to improve their town.”