BROADSTONE IN BLOOM

Our small band of volunteers have been working for several years tidying and replanting the flowerbeds and planters along the Broadway. We know that these give a lot of pleasure to many people from the comments we receive while working. Broadstone in Bloom was begun a few years ago by Annette Brooke. With a donation from Nynex, tubs were purchased and placed outside some shops and the remainder was used to purchase new shrubs for the beds in front of what is now the Bridal Shop, Mobility shop and Julia's House charity shop.

Broadstone Evening W.I. offered to renovate the bed nearest to the Stepping Stones, starting with shrubs and plants from our own garden. Two ladies from Grange Rd persuaded the Council to clear shrubs from the beds there and began planting up with fresh stock. Now all the flower beds are looked after by our small group. Broadstone is in the judging route when Poole is judged as part of S. & S.E. Britain in Bloom and receives praise for the community involvement.

Many people ask why they are not looked after by the council. This is because the beds & pavement in front of the shops are owned by Property companies who lease them to another company, who then rent them to the various businesses. This is also why, since the surrounds have been damaged by youngsters on bicycles and skateboards, we have been having great difficulty in getting anyone to repair them. Hopefully by the time you read this article this situation will have been resolved by the council's legal dept. The council provide hanging baskets and tubs to those businesses prepared to tend and water them, and also supply bulbs each autumn for planting on verges etc.

Congratulations to local prizewinners in the Poole in Bloom Garden of the Year competition. Mr Bob Hewitt's garden was judged best overall frontage, Caesar's restaurant in Dunyeats Rd was considered best restaurant frontage, out of town and Broadstone Bowling Club's garden shared an award as best leisure facility garden. Don't forget that you can enter either your own or a neighbour or friend's garden. Forms are available in early summer from the library or leisure services at Poole council.

We badly need more volunteers to help with our work. It involves a couple of hours at a time occasionally in the winter, a bit more often in the summer. If you could help please telephone 695873. Help us to keep Broadstone looking bright and colourful.

Denise Hill

Archive Winter 2004 | next

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