Village on the scent of success as bloom judges set for visit

HOUSEHOLDS and businesses in Spondon are pulling together to turn the village into a beauty spot ahead of this year's East Midlands in Bloom competition.

It is the fifth consecutive year the village has entered the contest, which looks for the most imaginative use of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscaping in the region.

Over the past few months, Spondon's Village Improvement Committee, known as the VIC, has been preparing and planting bulbs ahead of the judges visiting on July 14.

The East Midlands in Bloom winners go forward to represent their area in the Britain in Bloom finals.

And organisers have every reason to be confident, having won the East Midlands in Bloom's urban community category in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Spondon also won gold at the Britain in Bloom awards ceremony in 2005 and Margaret Kelley, chair of the VIC, said she thought the village was in with a chance of taking the top prize again this year.

She said: "It would be amazing if we could get that far again. We had coaches taking us to London for the ceremony and it was a brilliant night. It made people proud of Spondon and that's what entering these competitions is all about."

Two judges from East Midlands In Bloom will be given a guided tour along a three-mile route through Spondon, including West Park Nature Reserve, Dale Road and Sitwell Street.

In order to win, Spondon must beat competition from villages in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland.

The VIC secured a £2,500 grant from Spondon Neighbourhood Board to fund the floral displays needed for the competition and has also raised £1,500 through sponsorship.

Businesses such as Acordis, in Holme Lane, and Asda have funded large flower tubs.

Shops, pubs and restaurants have put up hanging baskets and home owners have tended their front gardens.

Andrea Sheperd, licensee at the White Swan pub, in Moor Street, has hung flower baskets at the front of the pub.

She said: "It allows people to take pride in the area. It has a real positive effect."

Indian restaurant Empire Tandoori, in Chapel Street, has six hanging baskets.

Marketing manager Bruce Sharma said: "It enhances the beauty of the village and has a calming effect upon people."

Derek Hathaway, a member of the VIC, said 800 leaflets had been posted asking people to keep their gardens tidy.

Among the householders taking part are Roy and Irene Battelle, of Locko Road.

They are planning to host a barbecue to raise money for the competition, on the same day as the judges' visit.

The East Midlands In Bloom awards presentation is in Cleethorpes on September 9.