Anglia in Bloom judges visit Halesworth as town bids for fourth gold award

Hot on the heels of a weekend of celebrations to mark the bicentenary of the birth of Sir Joseph Hooker, Halesworth has welcomed the Anglia in Bloom judges.

Volunteers worked tirelessly ahead of the visit to ensure all areas of the town looked their best, with eagle-eyed litter pickers out from dawn to dusk in the Thoroughfare and surrounding areas.

The judges arrived on July 13, and were transported around the town in a car provided by Hammond Motor Group in Halesworth.

After visiting the drought-friendly roundabout by The Triple Plea, the team walked from the station to the memorial garden and Market Square via the Thoroughfare, along the way taking in the floral displays at the United Reformed Church, the Hooker exhibition at the World Land Trust, the children's literary garden at the library and the community herb garden.

Karen Austin, Halesworth in Bloom's lead guide for the day, said: 'The Thoroughfare looked amazing with its distinctive array of floral displays, many tailored to reflect the business or shop.

'Ranging from the horticulturally majestic to the offbeat and quirky, all of the displays reflected the vibrancy and individuality of our town centre.'

The group completed the morning tour with visits to Beech House residential care home and the Children's Gardening Club project at the Swan Lane allotments, both of which have been entered for special awards in this year's competition.

Ms Austin added: 'The judges were particularly impressed by the sensory gardens and vegetable plots at Beech House, which are also tended and enjoyed by the residents. They presented manager Sonia Sherwood and her team with a certificate of recognition for their work.

'At the children's allotment we admired the produce grown by our young gardeners and future 'Bloomers' as well as a rather magnificent slow worm.'

After lunch and meeting with members of the town council and volunteers, the group visited the Town Park were the judges were shown the new Hooker-inspired tree and shrub planting, along with the new information board and bench seating. The final stop was the closed cemetery

The Halesworth in Bloom team are hoping to pick up their fourth gold award this year.

The ceremony takes place at the Ocean Rooms in Gorleston on September 14.