nantwich in bloom - nantwich town councilnantwich in bloom portfolio 2017 3 nantwich in bloom...

Nantwich in Bloom Portfolio 2017

NANTWICH IN BLOOM

A VOLUNTARY GROUP WORKING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

2017 PORTFOLIO

Supported by NANTWICH TOWN COUNCIL


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Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 2

Nantwich Town .................................................................................................................................... 2

Nantwich in Bloom .................................................................................................................................. 3

Achievements ............................................................................................................................................ 5

Salt of the Earth Award ..................................................................................................................... 6

Archive ................................................................................................................................................ 6

Review of 2016/2017 ............................................................................................................................ 7

Horticulture ................................................................................................................................................ 8

Winter and Spring Planting ............................................................................................................. 8

Summer Planting ................................................................................................................................. 9

Memorial Garden .............................................................................................................................. 15

Allotments and Community Orchard ............................................................................................ 16

Allotments ........................................................................................................................................... 16

Nantwich Community Orchard ................................................................................................... 16

Nantwich in Bloom’s Competitions................................................................................................ 18

Environmental Responsibility ......................................................................................................... 19

Community Participation ................................................................................................................... 21

Nantwich Partnership .................................................................................................................... 21

Nantwich Litter Pickers ................................................................................................................. 21

Nantwich Civic Society ................................................................................................................... 21

Areas of School involvement ...................................................................................................... 22

Future Aspirations ................................................................................................................................ 24

The Old Biot ........................................................................................................................................ 24

Our current Sponsors .......................................................................................................................... 26

Contact details ........................................................................................................................................ 27


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Tony Percival Chairman, Nantwich in Bloom

Introduction

Nantwich Town A small market town in south Cheshire, Nantwich grew through its key role in the salt trade. The name “Nantwich” dates back to Saxon times, “Nant” meaning Vale by a riverside, and “Wich” meaning a place where salt is found. Surviving civil war battles and fires which raised its timbered buildings to the ground, the town is now home to some 13,000 residents. The town is second only to Chester in the county for its wealth of historic buildings and today still retains much of its ancient character attracting shoppers and visitors from all over the world. Nantwich is nestled between the railway town of Crewe and a rural hinterland of a characteristic dairy farming landscape which gives rise to the famous Cheshire cheese. And to celebrate, the town hosts the annual Nantwich Show, which features the largest cheese show in the world, with over 3240 different cheeses from some 24 countries. Other events include a number of festivals including; Words and Music, Jazz and Blues and Food and Drink The town still holds a thrice weekly market, held mainly within the old Market Hall, and a monthly Farmers’ Market held in the town square. “The town must benefit enormously from the efforts of the “In Bloom” group.”

RHS Britain in Bloom judges


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Nantwich in Bloom Nantwich in Bloom is a small group of volunteers working to enhance an already beautiful town by encouraging the wider community to assist and take pride in our efforts. We are a local, not-for profit organisation, the members of which offer their time and energies for the benefit of the town, for its residents and visitors alike. Our organisation was established, in Nantwich, some 40 years ago, since the mid 1970s, concentrating our efforts mainly on planting flowers. The current portfolio of activities includes, tree planting, sowing wild flowers, creating wildlife habitats, countryside crafts and litter picking. Nantwich in Bloom operates through a committee comprising:- Chairman Tony Percival ViceChairman Tom Deans Vice Chairman Mark Betteley Secretary Sue Hughes Treasurer Mark Betteley Members

Steve Otter Sue Sherwood Malcolm Reid Penny Rowlinson June Twelves

Janet Marks Hilary Slack Norma Simpson - (Nantwich Town Council) Stuart Bostock - (Nantwich Town Council) Our Basic objectives are as follows:

To encourage the participation and support of local residents to make

positive and lasting improvements to the environment of Nantwich;

To work in partnership with other organisations and societies with similar objectives;

To co ordinate the town’s participation in various competitions concerned with the objectives of the association, including “Britain in Bloom”;

To conduct fundraising activities, actively seeking grants, sponsorship and other funding from local authorities and businesses as appropriate in order to fund our objectives.


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Our group regularly attend planting and weeding sessions around the town and undertake other activities including:

Designing and sourcing compost, plants and equipment for displays Organising community participation events, such as working parties with

school groups, youth groups or business volunteers Planning and publicising fundraising events Generating local publicity through posters, leaflets, presentations and even

radio interviews Litter picking and other environmental clean-ups Removing waste and making compost Creating wildlife gardens, wildflower meadows Coordinating residential gardens, business premises and local allotment

competitions Caring for conservation areas such as Coed Wen, and our community

orchard, adjacent to the river Weaver.

“The overall impression of Nantwich is of a clean, tidy and welcoming town full of colour. Large sections of the community have either taken part in or made other contributions to a very high standard of floral display.”

RHS Britain in Bloom judges

Committee members and volunteers gather for a working party


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Achievements Nantwich with the support of the Town Council and the local community have regularly entered into the “Britain in Bloom” competitions and have won awards, particularly in the North West, on numerous occasions. In the last 12 years we have been awarded the accolade of “Best Town in the North West” on no fewer than eight occasions and in 2004, 2006, 2008 and again in 2011 when we were nominated to represent the North West in the RHS national finals of the “Britain in Bloom” competition.

In 2016 we achieved Gold Medal status in the North West in Bloom awards, we were also presented with the Arriva Trains Wales “Best In Bloom” award for work on Nantwich Railway Station.

In 2015 we achieved Gold Medal status in the North West in Bloom

awards.

In 2014 we were awarded Gold Medal Status in the North West in Bloom awards.

In 2013 we achieved Gold Medal Status in the North West in Bloom

Awards, we also won the coveted Biodiversity Award presented by the Mayor of Preston and the Arriva Trains “Best in Bloom” Station award.

In 2012 we were awarded a “Silver Gilt” in the RHS UK “Britain in

Bloom” finals and a Gold Medal winner in the ”North West in Bloom” competition.

In 2011 we were awarded the “Best Town in the North West” and

nominated to represent the North West in the RHS UK “ Britain in Bloom” finals.

In 2010 we were awarded Silver Gilt in North West in Bloom, awards

also included, Community Pride: Best Town in Cheshire, Overall Champion of Cheshire, Little Gem Award for Volunteers and Cheshire Best Kept Station Awards.


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Salt of the Earth Award This year the “Nantwich in Bloom” organization has been awarded the coveted “Salt of the Earth “ award by Nantwich Town Council, for its continuing work and commitment to the town.

Committee members receiving the award from the Mayor of NantwichTown Council, Andrew Martin.

Archive Our achievements have not been confined to recent years, as the following extract from the 1978 “Johnsons Almanac” shows.

Nantwich came “Runner up” in the international town section of the “Entente Florale” Competition representing Great Britain.


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Review of 2016/2017

Nantwich in Bloom hold regular monthly committee meeting, quarterly Partnership meetings, and are also represented on Nantwich Town Council and Cheshire East ANSA meetings . October

Clearing the wildflower beds at Coed Wen November

Planting Apple trees in Community Orchard Planting Daffodils

January Arriva Trains “Best Kept Station” awards at Shrewsbury Meeting with ANSA to discuss summer planting Ordered summer plants

February

Meeting with Cheyne Hall, Meeting with Nantwich Partnershipl Group Orderedplastic “self Watering” Hanging Baskets

March

. Partnership Group meeting Meeting with schools Coppicing at Coed Wen

April

Hanging Baskets taken to Nursery NIB AGM Wildflower seed sowing at Coed Wen with Schoolchildren

May

Re Compost beds and containers Meeting with ANSA (Cheshire East) re planting plans Partnership Group Meeting

June

Plants delivered and planted Fire cadets help with hanging up baskets

July

North West in Bloom Judging day Retail premises Judging


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Horticulture

Our plans for the town include summer and winter/ spring bedding as well as permanent sustainable planting, and the creation of a community orchard and wildflower meadows. This year we have replanted our Town Centre side beds, which have been planted with permanent plants, such as Acer, Hebe, Lavender, Phormium and grasses. Where the town Centre Christmas Tree is positioned we have planted the area with Summer Bedding to alleviate problems with damaging permanent planting throughout December and January.

Winter and Spring Planting

Our winter/spring planting of beds, tubs and borders commences in October in conjunction with the Cheshire East efforts, which provide a colourful display of Bellis, Wallflowers, Pansies, Polyanthus and Primulas which later compliment the spring flowering Daffodil and Tulip bulbs.

The spring daffodil displays this year have been spectacular, the riverside was awash with swaths of bright yellow blooms.


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Summer Planting The summer bedding displays allow us plenty of scope to improvise and develop themes and colour schemes. Our main beds are located within the town square, the library and the Swinemarket. The main town centre bed and the library are planted with summer bedding whilst the swinemarket and town centre side beds contain permanent planting.

The Cheshire Cat raised carpet bed planted by ANSA

Town Centre main bedplanted by NIB volunteers


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The newly planted town centre side beds contain permanent planting

The town centre also contains planters and baskets, we have adopted two colour schemes for our planters, these being Red, White, Orange and Blue,White, Yellow. Whilst the baskets are a general colour mix.

Town Centre baskets


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Church front planters

Town Centre planters


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The Railway Station planters have recently been subject to a refurbishment project. Nantwich in Bloom with assistance from Arriva Trains Wales have undertaken a project to raise two of the three beds on the platforms by one railway sleeper height, approx 120mm. This has meant removing existing plants, that have become root bound, raising the sides, with 8 sleepers per bed and topping up the soil by approximately 2 tons per bed. It is the intention to replant with permanent planting later in the autumn, however in the meantime we have planted with summer bedding to complement the existing permanent plants.

Refurbishment work being undertaken

Work finished and planted up


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Bus Station Area

Fire Station

Retail and Business premises continue to support the town, not only in financial terms but also by providing wonderful displays for the community to enjoy.


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Cocoa Yard

Talbot Inn


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Market Street

The Town Council have this year filled a number of colourful planters around the front of the Civic Hall with many different varieties of mint, the planters will temporarily be removed and taken away to be displayed at the Nantwich Show.

Memorial Garden This autumn a memorial garden is being built on an existing site adjacent to the church, opposite Nantwich Club. To commemorate the fallen in the first world war, a large stone poppy is being placed on the site. The memorial site shall also commemorate Stanley Boughey, the only Nantwich person to be awarded the “Victoria Cross”. A commemoration stone will be donated as a government initiative.


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Allotments and Community Orchard

Allotments The town has three traditional allotment sites plus a recent development known as the “Family Garden” site which is situated on Brookfield Park, this is believed to be the first of its kind in Cheshire and provides the facility for families to grow flowers and vegetables in an environment similar to the traditional allotment. The town council have a waiting list of people keen to acquire an allotment such is the demand for “Home Grown” vegetables.

Nantwich Community Orchard

The Community orchard was started by the previous Chair of NIB, Doug Butterill, in 2008, and was inspired by the late Tony Gentil, a founder member of the Cheshire Orchard Project. It is located between the rear of Shrewbridge Road and the River Weaver, on public land.

The total number of fruit trees in the orchard is 42, including 6 new trees planted this year, the majority are apples, two are pear trees, Aston Town Pear and ‘Catillac’, there is one recently planted Victoria plum tree and one Cheshire Damson. Of the 38 apple trees 10 are cookers including Howgate Wonder, Newton Wonder, Arthur Barnes-a local Cheshire variety, and Golden Spire which can also be used for cider making. The dessert apples include the varieties Lord Lambourne, Spartan, Fiesta, James Grieve, Kidd’s Orange Red, Ellison’s Orange, Ribston Pippin, Elton Beauty - a local Cheshire variety, Ribston Pippin, Egremont Russet and St Edmund’s Russet. The dual-purpose apple varieties are Blenheim Orange, Keswick Codling, Charles Ross and Millicent Barnes, another


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Cheshire variety. Two locally selected pippin apples were donated from a local orchard. We have made a map of the orchard to keep for historical record, naming each known variety.

The Community Orchard

Students at work

Students from Reaseheath Horticultural College have again used the orchard to

further their training, including tree pruning and general maintenance


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Nantwich in Bloom’s Competitions This year, as in other years “Nantwich in Bloom” has organised annual competitions for the following: Community Homes,Schools and Gardens – Will be judged on 20th July by Tom Deans and Sue Hughes from NIB. Commercial premises - Judging for the commercial premises floral displays is to be undertaken on 25th July, by Margaret Thrower, renowned horticulturalist and daughter of Percy Thrower the first television gardener. Allotments - This year the allotments were judged on 22nd June by our vice chairman and horticulturist Tom Deans. Awards Evening Our annual awards evening was held at St Catherines Nursing Home in September to recognize the efforts that individuals and businesses make to contribute to the overall work of the group and the attractiveness of the town.

Margaret Thrower judging for Nantwich in Bloom

“I really enjoy my visit to Nantwich each July to judge the floral displays. I have come to expect a first class show of colour and quality and I am never disappointed. The hard work of Nantwich in Bloom backed by the community participation is rewarded by quality, colourful displays”. Margaret Thrower


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Environmental Responsibility Although the planting of tubs and baskets with bedding plant varieties give a colourful display and create interest in the town centre, it is the sustainable permanent planting which gives us the most satisfaction. Our wildflower meadows at Coed Wen, with the help of local school children have been sown with three different mixtures of flower seeds to include Cornflowers, Poppies, Corn Marigold, Corn Cockle, Red Campion, Ragged Robin, Devils Bit Scabious, Meadow Buttercup, Yellow Rattle (to try to inhibit the growth of invasive grasses) and not forgetting of course “ladysmock”, the Cheshire flower. We have also planted Bluebells, Snowdrops, Primroses and Cowslip plants which have taken successfully.

Schoolchildren sowing seeds

This year’s meadow


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There has been other work undertaken this year at Coed Wen to remove some of the tree growth, this coppicing work was necessary to bring some light into the wooded areas. Owl boxes have also been installed to encourage wildlife into the area. Local school children are encouraged to participate in environmental studies and have this year made and installed hedgehog boxes in the wooded area of Coed Wen.

Volunteers Coppicing and with the Owl Box

We have again witnessed two pairs of swans nesting adjacent to the river near to the Community Orchard, this is the fifth year swans have nested in this location. Otters have also been seen in this area on occasion.


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Community Participation Nantwich in Bloom does not work in isolation and works alongside many other community groups in the town. The aims and objectives of these groups are similarly aligned and so the overall effect of their combined efforts are greater than if each worked alone. We have undertaken talks at fundraising events for a number of local groups, U3A and Rotary Club being two such organisations.

Nantwich Partnership The Nantwich Partnership was set up last year to discuss all aspects of the town development and includes representatives from Nantwich Town Council, Cheshire East Council, Retailers, The Church and the Civic Society. Nantwich in Bloom along with Greenspaces and The Nantwich Anti-Litter Group feed into this partnership as the Environmental Group.

Nantwich Litter Pickers Nantwich Litter Group was formed in 2010 to bring together local people interested in helping to eliminate litter from our wonderful town for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. With a current base of more than 80 enthusiastic volunteers, the group aims to cover the whole of the Nantwich Town Council area, paying particular attention to the parks at Brookfield and the Barony, car parks, the town centre and nearby streets and riverside and canal areas. This work is done through both the individual efforts of volunteers and monthly group picks. The group estimate that they collect over 300 bags of litter per year. They play an important role in the “Food and Drink” festival organization, working throughout the festival period cleaning up an endless amount of food cartons and rubbish. Since 2012 NLG have been pleased to work with Nantwich in Bloom and Nantwich Civic Society on Clean Up Days and in preparation for the North West in Bloom judging.

Nantwich Civic Society

The Nantwich Civic Society this year celebrates 50 years in existence and forms a vital link between the Town Council and the community. We are pleased to work alongside the civic society and share the same values in improving the overall ambiance and attractiveness of the town.


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Areas of School involvement Nantwich in Bloom often works with school groups to assist them in planting our wildflower areas to instill an appreciation of the environment in our youngsters. These activities are often aligned with other groups in order to ensure that the “bigger” picture is considered. There are five primary schools in Nantwich: Weaver Primary School St Anne’s Catholic Primary School Nantwich Academy Millfields Primary School Highfield Primary School We have involved the schools in a particular project this year which will come to fruition on 11th July, Judging day, in that each school has been given a planter to decorate and plant for the judges to view. The completed planters will be located at the front of the Church. Weaver and St Annes school’s have had a long association with our group and have well established horticultural studies as part of their school timetable. This year we have been actively involved with helping to develop gardens at Nantwich Academy and Millfields schools.

Academy pupils planting their flowerpot


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Academy pupils watering their vegetable garden

Millfields School front garden and vegetable patch


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Future Aspirations

The Old Biot The Old Biot is essentially a Brine Spring adjacent to the river which currently feeds the open air brine swimming baths. This spring commemorates the towns salt industry which was important from medieval times until the 18th century, and hence the name “Nantwich” means “Vale of Salt”. The current site was developed some years ago and has fallen into disrepair, the site until a few weeks ago was overgrown with Rubus plants The Partnership Group have big plans to make the “Biot” into an historic tourist attraction as befits the site. The site has recently been cleared and will be temporarily planted with wildflowers whilst the tourist site is designed and developed.

We currently have a proposal to redevelop the Parish Church south side bed that is currently overgrown with shrubs. The proposal is to clear out the bed this autumn and replant with permanent sustainable plants. We are proposing that the church Guides adopt this bed and help to maintain it in the future.


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In this ever-changing environment, Nantwich in Bloom realises that it too needs to keep moving forward and adapt to the current financial situation. The following points are under consideration presently:

Using more sustainable planting, for example using plants that require less watering, are more drought tolerant and by planting herbaceous perennials and herbs rather than just annual bedding plants.

Further co ordination with Greenspaces, Woodland Trust, Wildlife Trust

and all other “like minded” associations in planting of trees, hedges and wildflowers, thereby attracting wildlife into the urban environment.

Continuing our work and educate local schoolchildren in understanding

aspects of horticulture and assist in planting to attract wildlife. Continuing our work in the Community Orchard, and possibly expanding it

to become a home for endangered varieties of fruit. We are also developing the orchard as another wildflower area.

Linking in to the Big Society concept, via the Towns Parnership Group to

promote environmental and “green” issues to the town. Work with the local council in identifying all the various green areas within

the town boundary, thus enabling contractual arrangements to be entered into to maintain/improve these sites.

We continue to monitor the situation at the south side of St Mary’s Church

where we had planned to build a memorial garden, with seating.


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Our current Sponsors A number of local communities and retailers offer support to Nantwich in Bloom by purchasing baskets and planters through us or by directly sponsoring our beds and planters. Our main town centre bed has again been sponsored by Martin and Co, Estate agent and Letting Agency. Nantwich Town Council – our main sponsor 2016/17 Martin and Co, (Estate Agents) – Centre Bed Sponsor Cocoa Yard Retail Development Oxley’s Funeral Directors Natwest Bank Bookland (café and Bookstore) The Crown Hotel Wickstead Arms - (public house) White Linen (Ladies clothes retailer) W H Smiths (stationary store) Jepsons (gents outfitter) Richmond Village –Retirement Village ( meeting and event rooms) Cheyne Hall and Bowling Green Court have entered Northwest in Bloom in

the Neighborhood category for 2017 Local Fire Cadets – assistance with Hanging Baskets Nantwich in Bloom website developed with Nantwich Town Council

www.nantwichinbloom.org


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Contact details

If you would like to become involved in Nantwich in Bloom, either as a volunteer or a business who would like to sponsor the group or have their own flower display, please contact us:- Tony Percival Chairman Mobile: 07969268392 email Web: www.nantwichinbloom.org.uk Sue Hughes Secretary Phone: 01270 652513 Email [email protected] Web: www.nantwichinbloom.org.uk


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Acknowledgements

Our Main Sponsor

NANTWICH TOWN COUNCIL

Special Thanks

The Cheshire East Horticultural Group “ANSA”

All the local Primary Schools for their help and enthusiasm

Margaret Thrower for her continuing support

Richmond Village for their help with fundraising events

Many thanks

Les Holman Nurseries Busy Print

Crewe and Nantwich Fire Cadets Greenspaces

Nantwich Litter Pickers Nantwich Civic Society

Last but not least thanks to all our

“Blooming Friends” who participate in all our efforts

particularly our regular volunteers;

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