Two years since the voluntary group Bloom in Ottery first built and filled wooden planters in the town, the initative is going from strength to strength.
The initial trio of residents, who wanted to make the town look better as well as increase biodiversity, has now been joined by a gang of volunteers who look after the various planters throughout the year. They grow food as well as flowers; the first tomatoes growing around the Monument have already been picked and enjoyed.
In the spring Bloom in Ottery also arranged a free giveaway of trees from Devon Wildlife Trust and gave away 300 saplings in just two hours.
Bloom in Ottery was started with funding from Ottery St Mary Town Council through a government grant designed to encourage people back to their high streets, plus surplus funds handed back from the former group Ottery in Bloom.
The wooden planters, replacing the previous plastic pots, were made for Bloom in Ottery by Nick Sneller, a self-employed carpenter and joiner, and then filled by Nick, his partner Colette Hudson, and by Rupert Bannister, an experienced horticulturist. The peat-free compost came from Ezra, The Compost Man, while the plants were bought from Devonshire Lavender & Herbs, who also donated a vast number of plants to support the project, and from Rainbow Plants, all local businesses. Otter Garden Centre filled the baskets on St Saviour's Bridge.
A spokesperson for the group said: “It is early days yet but we are confident that as more people join Bloom in Ottery and expand the number of trees, flowers, fruit and veg growing throughout the town, we can be confident that we will be doing our bit to make Ottery an even better place to live.
“The group is always looking for more volunteers who would like to benefit from the variety of health benefits that gardening affords; improved physical well-being and mental well-being too, as gardening has been shown to help with reducing depression, loneliness, anxiety and stress. Join us and find a sense of connection and belonging.”
For further information contact Nick Sneller via bloominottery@gmail.com. A website, www.bloominottery.co.uk is being created and will soon go live.
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