Gold is one step closer for Angmering’s In Bloom team

THERE was only one place for Angmering to celebrate its success in the South and South East in Bloom awards – at the village pub voted the best in the region.
Judges inspect Angmerings displays in July D14281879aJudges inspect Angmerings displays in July D14281879a
Judges inspect Angmerings displays in July D14281879a

Members of the Angmering in Bloom committee toasted their own silver gilt award in the small towns section at the Spotted Cow pub, which saw off competition from 200 other flower-decked pubs in an area stretching from Kent to Dorset, to win its award.

The committee was presented with its own award at the Amex Stadium, Brighton, last Wednesday and accepted the Spotted Cow’s trophy on the pub’s behalf, handing it to Spotted Cow landlord Michael Collis and his team later that evening.

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For the village itself, this year was a breakthrough after three years of silver wards. In Bloom committee chairman Julia Phelon said: “We are very pleased.

Julia Phelon with the silver gilt award D14381719aJulia Phelon with the silver gilt award D14381719a
Julia Phelon with the silver gilt award D14381719a

“We went along with high hopes of getting silver gilt and the judges scored us at the high end of that level.

“We are nudging ever closer to gold. Next year may be too much for us, but the following year, who knows? That is what we are striving for.”

Two factors helped Angmering improve its rating this year, Julia added. “We showed the judges much more of the heritage of the village, the buildings and other historical elements.

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“Also, a lot more of the people we have been working with over the years came out to meet the judges, like the Royal British Legion and the Guides, so they got a much broader view of what the community is doing in the village.”

While much of the work around the village is carried out voluntarily by Angmering’s In Bloom team, the efforts were boosted by Ferring Nurseries, whose floral arrangements in The Square and outside the library greatly impressed the judges. Now Julia hopes Angmering can build on this year’s success and foster even more involvement by villagers and businesses. “I think the village is beginning to take more pride in its appearance. As we become more successful, people do seem to be more willing to take part. People are seeing us around, wearing our Angmering in Bloom t-shirts as we work in the village, and they are saying how much they appreciate what we are doing – that, and the silver gilt award, make it all worthwhile.”

The committee is already making plans for 2015 and would like more businesses in The Square to follow the example of those on the Arundel Road side in creating their own flower displays.

One more positive for Angmering was the ‘thriving’ award in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category, presented to Shirley Lane and Alan Smith, of St Margaret’s Court, Arundel Road, the first time they had entered the competition.