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| Home | MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES ARRANGEMENTS HAVE NOW BEEN MADE FOR MEETINGS TO NORMALLY TAKE PLACE ON THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT 7:00 PM IN THE MEETING ROOM AT CHEADLE FIRE STATION ON ASHBOURNE ROAD, CHEADLE, ST10 1HF, COMMENCING ON 6.05.09. ANYONE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING IS WELCOME TO SIMPLY SHOW UP ON THE NIGHT. NOTE THE NEXT IS ON WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER AT 7:00 AT THE SWAN AND ON THIS OCCASION ONLY IS SOLELY FOR EXISTING VOLUNTEERS. CHEADLE IN BLOOM WINS GOLD! On 3rd September 2009 Peter Oakden returned from the Heart of England in Bloom presentation awards ceremony in Pershore and announced to a special meeting held in The Swan at 7:00 that Cheadle in Bloom had received a Gold Award, the highest possible. To add to this success Keeling Rd had received an "Outstanding" certificate in their category again the highest possible. He congratulated everyone involved. Under pressure he also "confessed" that he had personally been awarded a discretionary "Certificate of Merit" for his own personal contribution to Heart of England in Bloom and was duly congratulated by all present. He noted that in the space of just three years Cheadle in Bloom had gone from a silver to silver-gilt to Gold award, an achievement which was truly outstanding given that other participants had taken more than 10 years to achieve this. The judges report noted "Areas for Improvement" as "None"!! There followed a brief discussion on the Cheadle rebranding excercise being conducted by the Council and it was agreed that those responsible be contacted with the suggestion that the proposed new Cheadle signage at entrances to the town refer to the Gold Award. It was also agreed that Sponsors be contacted by letter, advised of the results and thanked for their contribution. Finally Peter Oakden reported that in view of time pressure he had ordered winter pansies for winter planting which was only 5 weeks off. The next meeting would be on 7th October at 7:00 at a venue to be confirmed. On 5th August 2009 Peter Oakden began the monthly meeting with the sad news of the sudden death of Mike Steele from Little Island Nurseries. Mike had been a great supporter of Cheadle in Bloom, had shared his expert knowledge of plants with the Group and supplied the majority of plants used by the Group, including extra plants this year at his own expense when funds were tight. He would be sadly missed. It was noted that Peter Oakden and Ray Wood were to attend the funeral and members asked that they extend the Group's sympathies to his wife, daughter and son-in-law. The Chairman reported on judging day, noting that the weather had been good and the atmosphere festive, with initial feedback from the judges being good. He extended his thanks to all the people and groups who had volunteered their services to make the day so successful. The purchase of a water bowser and ongoing watering was going well though it was noted that due to the weather plants had suffered a mildew attack, that they had been sprayed to kill this which seemed to have worked reasonably well but that some plants, particularly those by the Guild Hall were too far gone and would be removed. Looking forward it was noted that funding continued to be gained with Lafarge having contributed £500 and grants received of £500 each from both County Councillors. It had been determined that the grant from the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council was a rolling one and incidentally not conditional on entering Heart of England in Bloom. It was noted that Biddulph had not entered for this year only. The position on the Cheadle Town Council grant had yet to be determined. The presentation day for Heart of England in Bloom this year was on Thursday 3rd September in Pershore and after some discussion it was agreed that this was to be attended by Peter Oakden and Dave Barber with representation next year to be reviewed. In view of this there would be no meeting on September 2nd. Instead the Group would meet at The Swan in Cheadle at 7:00pm on Thursday 3rd September when the Chairman would announce the judging results. On 10th July 2009 judging took place for the Heart of England in Bloom Competition, with the judges again being Les Goodman and David Wassell M.B.E.The weather was fine and the judges were given a tour of the town on a vintage bus kindly provided by Roy Hine accompanied by the Chairman and other volunteers. They were particularly shown and were impressed with the new permanent planting in Well Street arising from their recommendations last year and also saw the excellent decoration of the fencing at the bottom of the car park which had been carried out by pupils from Painsley Catholic College. They then adjourned to the Market Place where there was Irish dancing and music performed by Murphy's Marbles band and free tea and cakes available to all. With banners in place, the Council having organised an exceptional weeding all around and the Market Place crowded out, the atmosphere was truly infective and a good times was had by all. On 1st July 2009 in place of the normal meeting members met at Greyhound Walk and spent about an hour weeding and deadheading the displays. On 31st May 2009 on a gloriously hot day numerous volunteers turned up for planting out day with the result that it was completed without incident and before noon. On 6th May 2009 the first meeting was held at Cheadle Fire Station at 7:00 p.m. The Chairman advised that he had made contact with Les Latham at High Peak BC who was now looked after maintenance in Cheadle. He had undertaken to assist by arranging the partial emptying of tubs, the spare compost being placed in the area identified for permanent planting. Planting day was agreed as Sunday 31st May, meeting at the market at 8:30 am and was likely to be extended as members agreed to do it all on one day rather than the normal two. All are asked to attend with appropriate equipment. The Chairman updated members on the grant position and it was also agreed he would contact Heart of England in Bloom to arrange a Judging day anytime after 1st July to allow greater public participation. It has since been confirmed Judging Day will be Friday 10th July. Ray Wood undertook to investigate positioning of banners on the day. On 19th March 2009 the AGM took place at 7:00 p.m. at The Swan Public House in Cheadle. Key points are: (1)The Committee was re-elected.(2) Arrangements are in place for the purchase of a water bowser and pump primarily to be operated by Peter Oakden and David Barber but with volunteer assistance as necessary (3) The plants have been ordered and in view of the financial situation Little Island Nurseries have kindly offered to upgrade the proposed "cheap and cheerful" plants for outlying plantings to the same as the main planting for the same price quoted.(4) The winter planting will be kept in place as long as possible-date for their removal and new planting the following week will be announced later.(5) The Chairman will seek to move the judging date by Heart of England in Bloom to around 2nd or 3rd of July to enable greater participation by local schoolchildren. On 8th March 2009 7 volunteers attended a maintenance session at 9:00am in which we successfully removed all the small upstanding basket supports, which as discussed at our last meeting, have proved to have caused such a problem with vandalism. On 26th February 2009 a meeting was held to determine this year's planting arrangements. A lengthy discussion ensued and in view of the limited funds available it was decided to go primarily with mixed Begonias (non stop begonias) with geraniums in the Memorial Garden. Guidance was taken from Mike Steele of Little Island Nurseries who has supplied plants previously. Alternative quotes are awaited from Heath House Nursery. Prices were also sought for cheap and cheerful planting in "outlying" displays as the Chairman did not want to see unplanted tubs around Cheadle. On 12th February 2009 a meeting was held to discuss plans for the year and the financial situation. Members were advised that although the Council department that had provided watering facilities were willing and able to continue, and that following discussions with our local MP, Bill Cash, he had written to the Town Council supporting Cheadle in Bloom, the Council's position remained unchanged. Members regretted that the situation appeared to them to have become politicised and possibly personalised. A similar discussion to that at the November 20th meeting ensued with similar views and conclusions, especially in the light of the general support expressed in the pre- Christmas survey. To continue therefore the Group have to arrange and pay for the watering itself and operate on a severely constrained budget. Alternative funding was still being sought with the prospect of £3000. Other donations were conditional on forthcoming election results and it was also recognised that this was the last year of the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council three year grant which it was thought might not be renewed. It was also noted that sponsorship was likely to be curtailed (e.g. Fole Dairy was closing) The Group's dilemma was that despite the uncertainty of money available, plants had to be ordered now! It was resolved that (1) watering be put out to tender (2) some Group members were prepared to assist in or supplement watering subject to availability of equipment (3) planting would in principal be restricted to the High Street and town entrances with the possibility of "cheap and cheerful" planting elsewhere if funding allowed (4) winter planting could if necessary be dropped if the group wound up or had insufficient funding (5) a further meeting would take place to determine planting plans (6) the small raised baskets installed last year had assisted in the vandalisation of the winter display and would therefore be removed. In answer to a query as to the need to budget for the removal and disposal of the Group's tubs etc in anticipation of the Group winding up, it was accepted that were we to offer them to the public or for example to Uttoxeter Town Council on a "collect free" basis, no costs need be incurred. It was noted that the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council grant was conditional on entry to Heart of England in Bloom which would therefore proceed. Members were however anxious that the townspeople be aware of the reasons for both the reduced standard of display and the likelihood of a much lower grade from Heart of England in Bloom prior to the event rather than after which would seem like sour grapes, particularly if the Group then wound up. They were intent however on "going out with a bang". The Chairman undertook to arrange publicity at the appropriate time. On 20th November 2008 a further emergency meeting took place to determine if Cheadle in Bloom could and should continue in the face of lack of sufficient support from the Council. It was clear that feelings were mixed and that members were all very disheartened by the Council's decision, with some expressing the view that Cheadle in Bloom should wind up, at least for the coming year. However the over-riding view was that volunteers gave their time for the people and businesses in Cheadle and that this was appreciated and supported by the vast majority of people in Cheadle. It was considered more important than ever in the current international financial difficulties to make Cheadle a pleasant and welcoming town. The group decided to continue its efforts, whilst recognizing that they would be severely constrained if alternative sources of funding which were being explored were unsuccessful. On 17th November 2008 at an acrimonious Cheadle Town Council Meeting, ten letters asking the Council to reconsider were read out and the meeting was addressed by members Richard Grice and Peter Oakden. Cheadle in Bloom member and Independent Councillor Ray Wood made a last minute appeal for a small increase in the proposed funding. However the budget was approved without change by a majority vote. On 6th November 2008 an emergency meeting of all Group members and supporters took place at which the Chairman updated members on the current funding position, namely that Cheadle Town Council had decided to reduce the grant they make to Cheadle in Bloom from approximately £8000 last year to £3000 this year, a cut of over 62%. The saving has been estimated to be less than the cost of ten cigarettes or a pint of beer per Council Tax payer a year. This was followed by discussion on the feasibility of continuing the Group's work. As it was apparent that with the reduced grant offered we would have difficulty continuing, the Chairman and others undertook to "book" a speaking opportunity at the Town Council Meeting on 17.11.08, others undertook to request a review by post and numerous others undertook to raise the matter in the press. We subsequently received widespread and supportive publicity in both Cheadle newspapers and the Sentinel. On 19th October and 26th October 2008 two activity days for winter planting took place -to strip out the existing planting and to plant out pansies and bulbs. Both days were well attended by volunteers. On 20th October 2008 about 15 volunteers attended a meeting of Cheadle Town Council to support Peter Oakden as he gave a presentation to the Council on Cheadle in Bloom's success this year and asked for further funding for the coming year. The Council congratulated the group on its work and agreed to consider the group's request at a forthcoming meeting. On 7th September 2008 at Burton Town Hall, Peter Oakden and others attended the presentation day for Heart of England in Bloom . At a meeting held that evening at the Swan, he advised members that we had been awarded a Silver Gilt for our efforts and were not far short of a Gold which was a magnificent improvement on the Silver awarded last year. Congratulations were also extended to the Keeling Road and Hammersley Hayes neighbourhood groups who both received Merit Awards in that category. On Monday 28th July 2008 between 14:30 and 17:00 judging took place for Cheadle in Bloom's entry in the Heart of England in Bloom Competition by Les Goodman and David Wassell M.B.E. Despite the generally poor and windy start to summer which had delayed flowering, we had a few nice days prior to judging and on the day the weather turned out glorious with no sign of the forecast thunderstorms! The judges arrived at Cheadle Guild Hall and were first treated to an exhibition of paintings and displays inspired by Cheadle in Bloom prepared by local schoolchildren and were very impressed-see Artwork and Photographs pages. They also saw Cheadle in Bloom's impressive diary, prepared this year by Andy Brown and helpers. After a conducted tour of the town, the judges and some volunteer members repaired to a local tearoom where some of the judges findings were discussed. The judges felt that we had gone as far as we could with the basket and tub displays and now needed to look to more permanent displays and increased community involvement, possibly making judging day a full community day.
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