Caistor In Bloom’s Bulb Giveaway today

It’s a busy couple of days for Caistor in Bloom, with its awards night and AGM last night (Friday, October 23, 2015) and the Great Bulbs Giveaway today between 10-11am.

Introducing last night’s events at the Town Hall Arts Centre, Chair Deborah Barker said 2015 had been a very good year, with Caistor gaining Gold in the East Midlands In Bloom, and a Silver Gilt in the Britain in Bloom competition.

“We weren’t far off Gold,” she said.

She was supported by Martin Sizer. “Some towns go 30 years before they get Gold, and we received higher marks than last year,” he said.

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Chris Robey, of Systematic Print Management, receives a certificate from Deborah Barker

Certificates were awarded on the night to the following, with reasons given:
Caistor Town Council and the Civic Society – “which are both a big part of what we do”;
Town Hall – “for help with venues and giving us a rebate”;
Post Office – “who have helped us sell raffle tickets, which is a big part of our fundraising, and the judges love the fact that businesses are involved”;
Lincolnshire County Council – “for their liaison work as we can’t just put the planters in any old place near the highway”;
Multi-Use Centre – “for general support, especially with the Open Gardens Weekends”;
Neil Birks – “A stalwart who received a special award for his work in the community. He has been so instrumental, especially for his help with the litter picking”;
Systematic Print Management – “who have given us a lot of sponsorship, especially with the T-shirts this year”;
The Spar and the Army Cadets – “a lot of help, often behind the scenes”.

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Deborah Barker presents a certificate to Louis King

Special mention was also made of Stuart Roach, for grass cutting in Southdale, and to Graham and Margaret Smith, of the RNLI, for being loyal supporters from the very beginning.

The Settlement, Sanderson Green, Savages Fish and Chips, Cherry Valley, Lincolnshire Co-op, the Flower Club and Caistor Primary School were among many who were also thanked.

Louis and Robina King were awarded a Silver Gilt in the Britain in Bloom Best Front Garden category.

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Stalwart Neil Birks with Deborah Barker

After the awards presentation, the annual meeting was opened. In the Chair’s Report, it was noted the group has been advised to concentrate its displays on more central locations and not to spread out its efforts over too wide a geographical area. The group was also advised to think about how to add more height to its displays.

During the Treasurer’s Report, it was reported that the accounts had not been audited because some crucial documentation had not been forwarded by the bank. It is one of several issues the group has experienced with the bank, the meeting was told.

The AGM was suspended and will reconvene at another time after the accounts have been audited.

At this morning’s Bulbs Giveaway, also at the Town Hall, a team from the church will be serving refreshments, including bacon buns. The Giveaway is normally a popular event and a large turnout is expected.

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Press call: local journalists Peter Thompson and Linda Oxley

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