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4th August 2008

Britain in Bloom judging seemed to go very well. Judges Martyn Hird & Sue Wood were picked up from Great Malvern station on what was to be their first day of judging. They had travelled from Three Bridges and Leeds so were ready for a superb buffet provided by Jon & Chris Lear at the White Lion Hotel.

Following lunch we took Martyn & Sue to 'officially' meet Mayor Tim Perry on the Kings Head patio, and be given some background on Upton. Whilst we were talking Father Dominic was towed past in his sailing dinghy! The tour of the town started with walking along the river front, pausing to view the mural painted by art students from Hanley Castle High School. We then went to the Sensory Garden to meet Marjorie Falkner, the Community Notice Board and the Recycling Centre with Diane Bellamy. Gill Newman took the judges up New Street, where they were met by Sylvia Dawson who gave them copies of the Upton News.

We were then driven by Trevor Jeynes to Stocks Yatt Meadow, viewed the new Surgery, then drove to 7 Rectory Road. From there we walked to the Cemetery and were walked through by Town Clerk Andrea Oliver. Trevor picked us up in Laburnum Walk and took us to Berrow Court. Through Berrow Court to view the Ham with Enid Loynes. We then walked through to the front of the Malt House, and met Rosemary Webb & Simon Wilkinson. While Simon was telling the judges about the history of trade on the river, a small flotilla of boats & an Amphicar sailed up the river (or in the case of the Amphicar, drove!).

Barbara Hartley showed us 'Mr Bill and Mrs Lizzie' sitting in their garden and then we went along the river front to view the barrier baskets and through Bridge House patio. We showed Sue & Martyn 'Florrie', our watering van and went onto the 'Pepperpot' grounds, to be greeted by Upton Youth Band, members of the British Legion, Friends of Upton in Bloom, Town Councillors and residents.