CHAIRMANS REPORT for ANGLIA IN BLOOM JUDGING

Firstly I have to say that I am somewhat proud and privileged to be elected as Chair of “North Walsham in Bloom” 2008.

Helpers, sponsors and donors have done good work over the past decade and I take this opportunity to thank them all.  It is my intention to now build upon the foundations that have been laid and to now take us to a new level and in so doing look to making us all winners - whether it be Sponsors, Donors, Shopkeepers, Businesses, the Town Council, Helpers, Tourists or most of all, the people of North Walsham.

By that, I mean our team is not serving just to make North Walsham florally beautiful or to win an “Anglia in Bloom” award – we would truly like to work on your behalf to encourage the whole of North Walsham to be engaged in the community, involved in some way or another and look at their town as one of beauty, colour and cleanliness, to care about the community and the environment; a place to live with pride and pleasure whilst welcoming tourists and the trade they bring.

One thing is certain, to survive we must move with the times and in my opinion door knocking businesses for the donations has had its’ day – the owners and managers must be sick of that from all and sundry now that most charities have only lottery funding to turn to. This year we have restructured the way we finance, organise and carry out the work and are very mindful of working toward having things looking as though it’s judging day the year through. That obviously isn’t possible due to seasonal weather but I’m sure you know what I mean.

Also, it is necessary to collaborate with and involve the Chamber of Trade and offer local businesses true sponsorship opportunities where their business can gain recognition via some form of advertising on a particular display.

We have also put up a website where not only can information be found about us and our town but one that also houses interesting horticultural information and links into the likes of “Anglia in Bloom” as well as  into Sponsors websites.

Signage of Sponsors advertising is now available on major floral  sites and window stickers are available  to those that support NWIB.
Where possible we are involving local people, children and the Schools.

We have and are organising:
Plant stalls and coffee mornings to raise funds
An Open Garden day on Sunday 13th July and
A Garden Competition to be judged on Monday 14th July.

We have attended an “In Bloom” Seminar at Sheringham where we “Shared Experiences and Aspirations” on 24th July 2008. Nigel Bishop of Warwick District Council gave an interesting and inspirational talk.

Members of the group regularly attend the Bluebell public house Quiznight where the Landlord , Terry, has generously donated £417 from such to NWIB.
PR is being ramped up with regular newsletters being sent to the Times, The North Norfolk News and the EDP.

We are going about St. Nicholas Court otherwise known as the Precinct in a different way this year with by engaging the shop keepers and have had a great response from Divine Restaurant there in particular.

We have excellent liaison with the Town, District and County Councils and are collaborating well.  This involves grass cutting, street cleaning and generally keeping tidy the areas under their jurisdiction.  We are involved in a “Clean up North Walsham” day on Friday 4th July.

We have resolved our watering problem of previous years by purchasing a bowser and taking on a new man who is interested in our projects as a whole and not just the watering as a chore.

Finally, to allow us to move forward we need money and am pleased to report that our Treasurer has our finances well under control.

CHRISTOPHER HALL

CHAIRMAN – “NORTH WALSHAM IN BLOOM “
Direct Line: 01692 538877
Mobile:        07919 335577