The Community Project for Everyone
The Community – a high priority
From the outset, Stony in Bloom (SIB) has regarded engagement with the community as one of its main priorities and has linked with other community groups in the town.
Volunteers themselves, members of Stony in Bloom have sought to draw in more and more people to take part in the projects that have been planned, such as the Bluebell Wood at the south end of London Road by the Children's Centre. Publicity has brought enthusiastic members of the public to join in hedge-planting and wrenching out of ivy and brambles; and the same happened at other sites that SIB prepared and planted, such as those in Augustus Road and Hale Avenue.
Involving children and young people
It has been particularly important to the SIB Group to involve the school children of Stony Stratford in Stony in Bloom. Each year seeds planted by children from St Mary and St Giles, Russell Street and Queen Eleanor schools, and also from the Brownies, have brought such a cheerful splash of colour to the entrances to the Town. The Junior Youth Group, the Baptist Church youth group and the Children’s Centre have also engaged enthusiastically with Stony in Bloom projects. The Stony in Bloom Group has extended the children’s engagement with SIB projects through joint use of the large poly tunnel, which SIB members have erected in the grounds of St Mary and St Giles C E School. Meirion Morgan, the Head Teacher, has welcomed the project enthusiastically, and Stony in Bloom is delighted to be helping Stony Stratford’s children learning more about gardening through plant-growing in the poly tunnel. SIB volunteers are providing a series of gardening sessions for all the classes, and the children enjoy eating the produce.
Children’s competitions
Children’s painting competitions on a theme of flowers and woodland are aimed at encouraging awareness of SIB. In the first year local artist Derek Daniels kindly agreed to judge the painting competition and to give out the prizes; and Skills, the local art supplies shop, agreed to provide art supplies for the winners.
Front Garden and Floral Container Competition
Not only children, but also adults have been drawn in to SIB competitions. Each year Stony in Bloom holds a front garden and a floral container competition. In 2009 this was sponsored by Liz Thurley from Roman Way Garden Centre. Chris Wilde, Manager of Roman Way, offered his time and expertise to make a presentation to Stony residents, providing them with valuable tips on front garden design to inspire them to take part in the competition.
Stony Open Gardens
In 2009 SIB took over organization of Stony Open Gardens, with Janice Windon acting as project manager. This raised £4000 for Willen Hospice and £1800 for Stony in Bloom (see What Happened Previously). This event happens every other year. Those who have a back garden they’d like to share with members of the public are warmly encouraged to join in the next Stony Open Gardens (likely to be in June or July 2011).
Keeping in Touch with the Community
Through leafleting in the Library and at Town events such as the Switching on of the Christmas Lights Ceremony, and through articles in the Town Crier and local newspapers, the Group has tried to tempt enthusiastic gardeners to take part in Stony in Bloom activities and to keep other residents abreast of SIB activities. Stony in Bloom also organizes talks for everyone on gardening and related matters.
Community sponsorship support
Community involvement through sponsorship has been keenly sought by Stony in Bloom. The Business Association sponsored the purchase of Daisy the Water Bowser in 2009 and members of the Business Association provide the hanging baskets that beautify the High Street so magnificently. The Community Association and Ancell Trust also provide sponsorship. A warm welcome to Stony in Bloom has come from the Rotary Club, which kindly provided sponsorship in 2008 and 2009. Generous individual sponsorship has come from Hobby Fish for one of the planters, from Lesley Arkin, who is sponsoring bulbs in Cofferidge Close, from Lynda Cantor, who is sponsoring the seeds for the children’s planting, and Jenny Mercer, who is contributing to the Bluebell Wood. David Odell very helpfully allows SIB to use his vehicles for transporting planters. Ken Daniels, Chairman of York House Trustees, has set the precedent of donating funds from the Stony Words Literary Quiz, to SIB coffers. The Group hopes to use this money to bring blooms to the front of York House.
Close ties with the Futures Group
The Futures Group has channelled substantial funds to Stony in Bloom from its successful SEEDA bid. This paid for the poly tunnel, the bulbs for the Bluebell Wood, and the plants for landscaping Augustus Road and the London Road/Hale Avenue Sensory Garden. In April 2009, in liaison with the Futures Group, SIB launched a new sponsorship strategy, with car and shop window stickers.
Click here for more information about Stony Stratford Futures Group.
Last but by no means least
Community involvement has been most enthusiastically expressed through the warm comments of passers-by who have told volunteers as they have been weeding and planting how much they appreciate what SIB has achieved, and from e-mails to the Town Council, which voice their delight at the transformation that the flowers and landscaping have brought to the town.
Cllr Judy Deveson
