Henley in Bloom Committee Reunites and Stakes Out Projects

The Henley in Bloom Committee recently met for the first time since July last year due to the Council not having a Town Centre Manager for this time.

The Committee discussed whether they would enter the RHS Britain in Bloom competition this year and agreed that they would make the final decision at the next meeting in April.

A number of projects were tabled including the installation of a memorial stones pathway along the river, new fencing and planters for Market Place (similar to Thameside), a wildflower verge on Harpsden Road, the replanting of the ManningUK flower bed next to Red Lion Lawn and the improvement of the Pram Walk on Greys Road.  There is no more room for memorial benches along the river so the Committee would look at creating a memorial stone pathway leading up to the glade and Val Stoner’s memorial bench on Marsh Meadows. Chair, Councillor David Eggleton said that the Market Place flower beds are looking tired. The hedges have been in place for a long time and need removing and replacing. DE suggested that rather than replacing the Market Place beds with new hedges that fences be put in their place with planters similar to the ones on Thameside, that can be planted with year-round cascading flowers.

It was agreed that the Gardening Buddies would continue to maintain the wheelbarrow on the Reading Road, and the area around the Esso/Amazon Lockers.

8-12 Oak trees are being planted on the Gillotts Field Town Green and a Flowering Cherry has been planted in a planter outside Tomalins on Reading Road. A Jubilee
plaque will be placed on the side of the planter.

Sponsorship is needed for the planters at the King’s Arm Barn,  the Tesco roundabout sponsorship is up for renewal and GWR are to be approached to see if they would like to renew their sponsorship of the planters at the railway station.

Caroline Langler was thanked for her hard work to organise the residents’ Gardening Competition over many years.  The Committee are looking for some who is passionate about gardening to take over from Caroline.  Caroline will be presented with flowers and a plaque for all her hard work.