The Old Colwyn (East) Residents Association
Open meeting 9th February 2005.
Minute of an address by Mr Peter Barton-Price,Principal Parks Officer Conwy C.B.Council on the subject of Britain in Bloom
Peter introduced himself and said that he had worked for the council for 21 years he’d been involved in Colwyn in Bloom within Conwy for fifteen years. It is a well established event.
He related that Conwy had been successful in the event over the years but that a new Section of Britain in Bloom had been created called the Community Section and in this event old Colwyn had been chosen to represent Wales.
The event will entail two visits by the judges; the first will be a surprise visit when they will look at the area on their own. The second will be a visit for the judging in the summer, when they will look at what they are shown.
Peter then continued by talking about the organisation of the local committee for Britain in Bloom. He said it must be made up from organisations Such as business, local residents, schools, Probation services, but went on to say that Britain in Bloom is not about local authority involvement, it has a part to play but not the major part.
Colwyn Town Council is keen to pull in other organisations in the hope of gaining local awareness, Community pride and a local strategy. It is very important to build up community interest in the event and one of the most important parts of the presentation to the judges is the portfolio.
This contains written and photographic evidence representing the action taken by the community and others over the year and is an opportunity to share with the judge’s what you want to tell them and who you are as a community through the “In Bloom” campaign.
Businesses, schools and other voluntary groups have to work together and get sponsorship and other funding.
Peter then went on to talk about the various aspects of the judging process, by taking the members through the judge’s marking form.
He told us that there were several main themes which ran through the competition.
Environmental issues, Sustainability, Horticulture and Recycling.
The Local authority work accounts for twenty marks out of a possible two hundred. The portfolio should give details of fund raising, pictures of environmental projects and show and explain focal points with in the area such the small community rest area opposite the entrance to Coed Coch Road.
Recycling is an important issue which should be considered all the time. People shown in pictures should be the persons who took part in the project. Where projects are still underway at the judging time the portfolio should explain where the project is and where it intends to be when finished.
The portfolio is diary of the last twelve months. The judges will judge what they see on the day. The portfolio should contain everything which the committee want them to see and judge; some of which they may not be able to see on the day.
Peter said that it is important to station people with knowledge of the projects and who have taken part in the projects to meet judges at venues.
He told us that there are more points given for work done by voluntary organisations, such as ours or schoolchildren, than for work done by the Parks and Gardens Department of the Council. Housing developments can decorate their gardens with hanging baskets.
He told us of a group of houses down the road at the side of Stermatt who have gone to a great deal of trouble to form a gardening club with tubs and hanging baskets.
He related a problem that had occurred at Harrogate which had done well for 15 years in the competition but when the businesses pulled out they lost on that very fact.
Peter advised us that Old Colwyn is a village and that that is an important issue to hold on to. We have the Fairy Glen and Coed Coch Road. A great deal can be done in the village with hanging baskets. Most important is the issue of public awareness and having clean up projects. He told us that B+Q organise and fund clean up campaigns.
The community needs to have awareness of projects and produce evidence with either photos or testimonials. Also able to be included in the portfolio is details of radio reports and other media reports. If there is an area of rough ground which is to be changed show it before and demonstrate how it is changed.
He related a story of a town that had arranged to have an unsightly building covered and decorated for the competition day. These are issues that will make a difference.
Peter went on to say that in his view there were massive projects that had taken place in Old Colwyn and a lot of redevelopment. These are the plus points. On the opposite side we have to take into account that the judges will come unannounced on their first visit. WHAT SHOULD NOT BE SEEN? ~ GRAFFITI, DOG FOULING, LITTER. The minute that they get off the train or park their cars, they will be looking and getting an impression of their own, with nobody to show them around they can go anywhere, see
On the occasion of the summer judging, the committee will have three hours to show everything that they want seen. Peter warned, THAT IS NOT A LONG TIME. It is the culmination of 12 months work.
He reiterated the message “Show Old Colwyn ~ what it means to the Community ~ what change has taken place ~ Demonstrate the changes both with involved community members around the judging sites and with specific evidence in the portfolio.
A resident asked “Who are the judges and where are they from?”
Answer Members of the Royal Horticultural Society which is a voluntary organisation. They have three weeks in which to cover a vast area. Last year Colwyn Bay was judged against Great Yarmouth.
A resident said “You say they do not want to see dog fouling but Wynn Garden is used as a dog toilet by many owners and there is no dog bin. When I have queried previously, I was told that dogs were banned and therefore the council could not put a bin there.
Peter replied “ I will check if there is anything we can do, we are not responsible for street cleansing but I will chase it up”.
The Secretary said “Can I just make the point that if our members think they can do something to help then please get involved with the Environment Federation so that it is not left to the faithful few. You don’t have to dig or do anything heavy; perhaps you could pick up litter. We only compete this year we cannot compete the next year. It is our one chance”
Peter agreed and added that there are also other local environmental competitions that can be entered.
At this point, the Chair thanked Peter for an excellent talk and there was a round of applause.
