Hutton in Bloom 2008

Another Gold for a Blooming Good Village

Hutton has done it again!   The Hutton in Bloom team has been presented with the gold award for all their efforts in 2008, repeating their success in the previous year. The presentation was made in Plymouth in September when South West in Bloom played host to several hundred delegates representing villages, towns and cities across the south-west.

Hutton village has been entering floral and ‘best kept village' competitions for about 35 years.  Emphasis has changed over the years and now efforts in community involvement, sustainable planting, and care for the environment count for more than displays of annual flowers.

The judges, John Goulden and Jerry Cole, who came Hutton in July, described what they saw here as "a wonderful effort by a great team".

In their report they said: "This entry was a pleasure to judge with an enthusiastic and well organised team, individually working in set areas and coming together to produce a super entry as a whole. The wild flower area at the Green is impressive as was the thought which went into the choice of plants and colour schemes"

They were impressed by the quality and theming of the displays and there was particular praise for the planting at Canada Coombe (this was converted to perennials two years ago), St Mary's Close (another sustainable planting, maintained by local residents) and The Millennium Green (another planting responsibility for the Hutton in Bloom team).

The judges did suggest a listing of the species of flora at the Green and the team will be taking care of this in 2009. Although the Hutton in Bloom team has links with the School the judges felt that there could be greater evidence of involvement with the youth.

"Continue with the good work which produces such an excellent team," said the judges in their final comment.

When the team met for its annual meeting in October we were pleased to welcome five new members.  Adrian Wilmot who has been chairman for the past two years gave notice that he wished to stand down and he was thanked for his untiring efforts on behalf of the village by the incoming chairman, Brian Cooper. 

Other office holders are: secretary Greta Cooper, design Wendy Wilson, construction Patrick Wilson, treasurer Polly White, fund raising/social Margaret and Andrew Monkman, sponsorships Helen and Richard Salmon, village green Adrian Wilmot. 

The team is now busy planting out polyanthus and daffodils and we look forward to another colourful spring.  And the Christmas tree will be in its usual place this year as work on the Chestnut tree will not affect us.

One question remains - can we hope to score another gold award in 2009 to complete the hat-trick?  (Brian Cooper)