THE LEDBURY community has something to celebrate this week, after the town achieved a remarkable ten gold medals in a row for Heart of England in Bloom.

And a major boost in community support, over the past year, was a big factor in helping Ledbury to its landmark success.

Ledbury in Bloom co-chairman, Sharon Maiden said: "Ten golds in a row; what a relief! But there was never any doubt in our minds that we could do it, and we've had a bigger workforce this year. People want to see Ledbury flourishing."

She said that with support cut by Herefordshire Council "people have stepped in with help".

During the past year, following appeals in the Reporter and elsewhere for more support, the number of Ledbury in Bloom committee members and volunteers has risen from just six to 20, and the the level of sponsorship funds has risen by 50 per cent, with 17 regular sponsors now backing the campaign.

Thanks to sponsors, all the ageing 24 flower barrels in the town centre could be replaced in time for this year's judging day.

Ledbury in Bloom secretary, Julia Boyle said: "The support of local businesses has been especially good this year."

Ledbury Town Council has helped too, by paying for hanging baskets and the watering, and by also taking on some grass-cutting duties from Herefordshire Council, including at one of the tour's key areas, the iconic Victorian Walled Garden.

Ledbury in Bloom volunteers have also carried out grass-cutting duties around the town.

And nurseryman Rob Wilson, who has a stall on Ledbury market, has been offering expertise in designing colour schemes for floral displays about the town, including tubs.

Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Debbie Baker, who has just offered to take on the role of Ledbury in Bloom secretary for the next year, said of the gold result: "It's absolutely brilliant news. The team worked very hard to achieve that gold; it's down to dedication and hard work."

With several committee members now planning to stand down, after more than a decade of hard work at the helm, Cllr Baker said she hoped even more Ledbury people would follow her example and get involved with the ongoing campaign.

She said the reward would be "a sense of accomplishment".

The Heart of England in Bloom judges, in their report, praised Ledbury for being "a wonderful town enhanced by the hard work of the Bloom group."

The judges said the Ledbury in Bloom team "were not put off by cuts made by Herefordshire Council, the Ledbury Bloomers simply got on and cut the grass themselves".

The judges added: "The town is an excellent example of what can be achieved with hard work and well-organized group of volunteers."

Anyone wishing to get involved with next year's Ledbury in Bloom campaign should phone 01531 641817 or 635380.