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FESTIVE NEWS • DECEMBER 2016 • PAGE 21
PLANTER ’ S CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH COPS
Hereford in Bloom ’ s chief planter Paul Hodges came close to being nicked by the police as he cleared a city centre flower bed of its summer plants ready for autumn and winter planting . A pair of bobbies pounced on him after a concerned citizen reported someone was stealing the flowers !!
Said Paul : “ I am not sure what they thought I could do with the old flowers or the purpose of the trays of new plants of pansies , polyanthus and spring bulbs I had with me . They demanded I identify myself despite the fact I was wearing a Hi Vis vest emblazoned with the Hereford in Bloom logo . I never realised planting flowers could be such a risky job .”
When Herefordshire Council at the start of the year announced it was abandoning all city flower beds and planters the Bloom volunteers decided to take on the job themselves rather than see them filled with weeds and rubbish . Supported by the City Council ; and the city centre BID team they made sure visitors were met with a blaze of floral colour through the summer and for the first time Bloom is undertaking winter planting .
Said Kevin Knipe , chairman of Bloom who won a Silver Gilt award in the Britain in Bloom competition , “ It is important that Hereford looks good all year round not just in the summer and a splash of colour through the winter months will have a big impact on the experience of visitors and shoppers alike .”
After a few summer hic-ups the Bloom team is confident the city will regain its Gold Medal status next year . “ Due to watering problems we lost a lot of plants and although these were quickly replaced the beds did not look at their best on the day the judges arrived ,” said Mr Knipe .
Hereford Lions Club has contributed £ 500 to the Bloom flower fund , sponsoring the two three tier planters at the entrance to the Butter Market , and the volunteer planters are appealing for sponsorship or donations to ensure Hereford does not become a flowerless
city .
The Hereford planting project now has the support of the Probation Service which has included it in the community pay-back work programme for offenders coming before the magistrates . “ This is a huge benefit and we are grateful to the Probation Service for their support ,” said Mr Knipe .
Paul Hodges , former manager at Wyevale Garden Centre , busy planting for winter
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