Claverley in Bloom gained gold awards in both the (regional) Heart of England in Bloom and (national) Britain in Bloom campaigns in 2015.
This was a significant achievement and especially so in relation to Britain in Bloom given the extremely high standards set at national level. To put the result in perspective out of the 70 entrants taking part in the national finals only 29 managed to achieve a gold award.

Needless to say CIB is delighted with the result and we are really proud of the village and the support that we have received. Many thanks to the large number of people who contributed and made 2015 such a successful year.

Do you enjoy the hanging baskets in the bullring and do the floral displays as you enter the village make you smile when you come home? Claverley in Bloom volunteers are responsible for their planting and maintenance. Claverley in Bloom (CIB) was formed in 2005 with the objective of improving the local environment through community based projects. Since its inception CIB has implemented over 40 projects. Some have been “one off” initiatives such as the planting of the roadside bank alongside the tennis club and restoration of the railings around the village Pound in Pound Street. Others such as the planting and maintenance of the various planting troughs around the village are an ongoing annual commitment. Other ongoing projects include the annual village “Spring Clean” and the autumn daffodil bulb planting exercise. The Aston Lane bank improvement scheme, with major plantings of trees and shrubs, has also been at the forefront of CIB activity since 2010.

CIB’s gold award achievement in “Bloom” campaigns over recent years is a reflection of the hard work carried out by committee members and a large number of dedicated local community volunteers.

CIB works closely with Claverley School to support its environmental and horticultural programme. CIB also maintains close links with other local organisations such as the Village Hall, Claverley Memories, the Tennis Club and the Church.

CIB is particularly keen to hear from residents who may wish to develop a neighbourhood project in their own area. This may be the creation of a new planting bed, renovation of an existing scheme or a collective display of planters and baskets. It could also be a collection of attractive and well planted front gardens in a particular street – in fact anything that brightens up the local scene. CIB will be pleased to offer advice and may be able to help with the supply of planting materials and physical labour to get schemes off the ground.

The 2017 summer planting scheme was installed in all planting troughs in and around the village on Saturday 3rd June.
As in previous years the winter plants that were worth keeping were potted on for re-use in the autumn. This not only increases the size of the plants but also gives an obvious cost saving. The compost is always renewed at this time and the old compost recycled for use in future shrub and tree plantings.
The scarlet and white varieties of the “Illumination” series of begonias have been used alongside golden lysimachia. The planting troughs in the Bull Ring also contain salvia farinacea “Blue Frost.
The plants around the Cross in the Bull Ring will be watered automatically but the plants in the other troughs around the village need attention to keep them going throughout the summer. This not only involves watering but dead heading and weeding. CIB would like to say a big “thank you” to all those volunteers who give their time to keep the displays going.

The competition was judged on 25th July by Douglas Cockburn of New Barns Nurseries, Hilton.
The final round of judging consisted of 11front gardens/displays from around the entire village. The prize winners, who were separated by just a few points, received HTA garden vouchers:
Voucher Winners

• 1st £50 – Vic Parton, 3 Danford Heath
• 2nd £30 – Bob & Margaret Scott, 29 Clover Heath
• 3rd £20 – Geoff Cashmore, Conifers, Lodge Park

Highly commended

• The Plough
• 39 The Wold
• 12 High Street
• 8 Danford Lane

CIB is very grateful to Douglas for providing his time and expertise to judge the competition and for the very generous prize sponsorship by New Barns Nursery
CIB intends to run a garden competition again next year.

Many thanks to Keith and Karen Horton of the Plough for hosting the summer quiz on 13th September and for everyone who came along to support it
The contestants were fully tested by Keith’s searching questions and the evening, fuelled by good food and a busy bar, was enjoyed by all. Thanks to Keith and Karen’s generously, plus the proceeds of the raffle we were able to add just under £240 to CIB funds.
A winter quiz will be held early next year

The winter scheme was installed on 22nd October. Shrubs saved from the 2016/17 scheme were used in the central village planters and Winchester Crossroads. The other outlying troughs were planted with a range of newly purchased heathers and small shrubs supplied by expert grower Nick Bromley of Rushmere Nurseries.

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Appalling weather failed to deter 18 volunteers and CIB committee members from planting 40 lime trees on Saturday 10th February 2018 in the fields either side of Crabtree Lane. Digging 40 planting holes in difficult conditions was hard work and CIB is grateful to everyone for their efforts. CIB would also like to thank landowners Paul Marsh and Jonathan Kendrick whose co-operation and support has made the whole project possible
All being well the trees will flourish to create a long lasting well-defined feature which will also support a wide range of wildlife.

The committee currently consists of 7 members:

Rod Parr – Chairman and Secretary

Andy Crackle – Treasurer

Peter Barby

Jacqui Cooper

Paul Pickerill

Janet Ryan

Brent Walker-Drew

Interested in joining us? We are a group of friendly local villagers from broad backgrounds. We meet regularly to discuss bloom business and we enjoy lively social events both fundraising and just for fun e.g. pub quizzes at the Plough, music events and others.

The cost of the summer and winter planting schemes are underwritten by the Parish Council but otherwise CIB is funded entirely by voluntary contributions and the proceeds of fundraising events. All donations are used solely to finance schemes that benefit the local community. The range of projects that CIB is able to undertake relates directly to the level of financial and physical support available. If you can help out in any way please contact us.

www.heartofenglandinbloom.co.uk/

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Community-gardening

Rod Parr – Chair & Secretary Tel: 01746 710683 Email: cib@claverley.eclipse.co.uk

Andy Crackle – Treasurer Tel: 01746 710418

To receive the very latest news about CIB events and activities direct to your inbox please contact Rod Parr as above to be put on our mailing list. (You can request removal from the list at any time in future)