THE huge drive to get Studley shipshape for the Britain in Bloom 2016 competition gets underway tomorrow with a massive operation to start planting up for the nationwide competition.
The village won entry into the prestigious event after winning the Heart of England in Bloom award five years on the trot.
Now the Studley in Bloom team, headed by chair Gill Liebthal are gearing up for next year when they take on the best of the rest of the country.
“We haven’t decided on a particular theme as what we did this year, using eye-catching colours to brighten up grey areas, seems to work well,” said Gill.
“Let’s face it, Studley is not a pretty village but we can do a lot by using attractive colours, the pinks, purples oranges, reds and blues.”
And she says every single resident and business can play their part too in ensuring the village gives its very best in the 2016 competition.
“This will be our greatest challenge and we are asking people to keep their own areas litter and weed free – not only will it make Studley look better but it will make our job a lot easier,” she said.
The Studley in Bloom team can be regularly seen planting up around the village with volunteers putting in anything between 20 to 30 hours a week plus they do a monthly litter pick too.
The group, which has been going for 18 years, is backed by Richard Wheeler of Castle Nurseries who donates thousands of plants each year for them use.
“We have to choose what we use carefully – the plants have to be strong enough to withstand the draft of the lorries going past and this year they will have to last too as the judging for the Heart of England awards and Britain in Bloom are three weeks apart.”
