A blooming success photos from the celebration

At a packed reception at the Town Hall we were celebrating our borough’s success in the Britain in Bloom competition. There was a time, not so far distant, when the only entry we had was from Southport Town Centre. Last week I presenting certificates to acknowledge and thank the volunteers who support over thirty schemes. Southport is no longer alone there were brilliant projects from Birkdale, Ainsdale, Crosby and Waterloo, Litherland, Netherton and Bootle. Southport in Bloom exceeded expectations by coming out as overall national champions in the ‘large seaside resort’ category. But the great thing was that there were so many community projects that make a real difference who were also winners. We all know of the excellent work done by the volunteer schemes at Rotten Row and the Botanic Gardens (who have clocked up over 10,000 volunteer hours) to these were added projects like The Queensway Allotment and Green Gym, Bedford Park, St Luke’s churchyard in Crosby, Maghull Railway station and The Grange Primary School. There are too many to mention here all my photographs from the evening

Crosby and Waterloo Blooming marvellousley

It was a real pleasure to be at the Waterloo and Crosby in Bloom awards night at St Luke's last night. Andrew Tonkiss was in the chair and ably assisted by the team especially Treasurer Caroline. Everyone missed the presence of Derrick Hymus who does so much for the group.

I had the task of handing out the cups and certificates. If my notes are correct the supreme champion, the equivalent of the best in show was Paul Weston (correctly quickly if I'm wrong)

There were lots of categories including front gardens, containers, window boxes, open spaces, commercial, pubs etc. It really was so good to see so many people involved.

 

Elderberries tomato and chilli festival a truly uplifting combination

Now this really was a joy. The Elderberries are a  gardening club for pensioners that meet in St John's church hall in Birkdale and they are a most friendly and welcoming group. Today they had their Tomato and Chilli festival under the watchful eye of their chair Derek Lewis Lavender. I was down to judge the produce. 

and the winner of the coveted trophy

The truth of the matter was that there was a goodly display of home grown tomatoes and the elderberries had been very enterprising choosing some unusual varieties alongside the expected ones. I was particularly impressed by the full sized plum tomatoes, but there were no chillies. Speaking to the members it was clear that one of the issues that prevented more chilli growing was the problem of the glut. What on earth do you do when all your chillies ripen at the same time. In truth a pensioner living alone can only consume so many chillies in a single sitting. I suggested that the answer was to freeze them . I grow a variety called Apache. It is a very neat compact plant a 'medium chilli heat'. I find the peppers freeze whole very satisfactorily. The F1 seeds are available from Sutton Seeds

The Elderberries had their own categories for judging including 'ugliest tomato' and added another one; cutest tomato. I was ably assisted by Mary seen in the picture presenting me with a  bouquet.

This is a thriving and happy club that meets one a month. So if you live in Birkdale and like more information please get in touch and I will pass on your details to Derek.

On twitter this afternoon someone remarked what an interesting combination of flavours was conjured up by the report of my visit. I suggest that the correct way to consume the elderberries is to ferment them first. They are just ripening and about to give of their best.

Once again a spectacular summer success -Southport Flower show

The Flower Show leases the Victoria Park from the Council and so once a year at the show the Southport Flower show hands over the rent. Since 1987 that rent has been set at a dozen red roses. The Chair of the Flower Show, David Rose, is pictured discharging that obligation. This year as Mayor I collected the rent along with my daughter Elspeth who was on Mayoress duty.

The Mayor of Southport gave a trophy awarded this year to the National Vegetable Society (Lancashire District). They had an amazing display of vegetables that featured in a national Broadsheet newspaper earlier this week. I spoke to several of the people on the stall all of whom hailed from around Pendle. The group won the trophy last year and had gone back home to check out the history of the trophy. It was given in 1928 by the then Mayor of Southport Christiana Hartley. The Hartley family-makers of the famous jam-moved to Southport from Colne (part of Pendle today) and were busy as philanthropists in both bits of Lancashire. As every Southport resident knows Christiana was the first woman Mayor of the town and endowed, among other things, the maternity hospital . The folk from Colne had a similar tale to tell. If you look at the trophy you will see the Southport Coat of Arms

Another, of many impressive silver cups, went to Holden Cough nursery also from Lancashire for a most magnificent display in the main Floral Marquee

As reader know I have an allotment so I take a special interest in the 'edible exhibits' at the show. This year there was an excellent stand from the NW section of the National Allotment Society who were doing a great job promoting this activity

Brilliant Botanic Garden Volunteers

The brilliant Botanic Garden volunteers have magnificently maintained this jewel in the Southport crown. I met David and Ann Cobham when I visited the the Churchtown park. I have been coming to the gardens on and off for decades to visit the playground with my daughters and to listen to the brass band on a Sundays. The cuts in local authority funding inevitably led to a reduction in spending on the parks. One of the really uplifting things about Southport is the manner in which the townsfolk have been determined not allow austerity to diminish places like the Botanic. There are lots of examples of volunteers making a real difference: Lord St in Bloom, Rotton Row, Birkdale Civic Society, King's Garden to mention just a few. David and Ann and all their volunteer colleagues have achieved an exceptionally high standard and on a very large scale. One of the important things a Mayor can do is to give recognition and thanks to groups like the Botanic Gardeners on behalf of the community. Since my visit I have been recommending almost everyone I meet that they should visit Botanic Gardens. I have visitors staying shortly for a family wedding and 21st birthday and I will certainly put a visit to these gardens on their itinerary.

thanks to John Dodd for the photos