THERE are hopes the potential return of a City In Bloom flower scheme for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will kickstart a major tidy up.
Councillor Carol Theobald, Conservative councillor for Patcham, hopes Brighton can be made into a more “attractive place” if the floral displays return this summer.
Brighton City In Bloom faced funding cuts in 2011 but continued, run by a volunteer group, until 2019. The group decided to stop it then after eight years of operating with less funding.
The competition used to have several categories such as “best hanging basket” and “best window boxes” but also focused on ecologically friendly practices such as “best allotment” and “best wildlife garden”.
The council said the scheme has not yet been approved but the city council's environment, transport and sustainability committee will receive a report in March and decide on it then.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations start from February 6, which will mark 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
However, people are hoping City In Bloom can return in time for the four-day bank holiday weekend from June 2 to June 5 when the country will celebrate the Queen’s service.
Cllr Theobald said: “Obviously this city does need a lot done to it to improve the look of it. We need to tidy up and make it an attractive city. Hopefully they can just start it with something, starting with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
“Other parts of the city are falling apart, like the fountain in Old Steine. It’s in a dreadful state down by the Old Steine. There are no flowers down there and it’s a mess. I think the city should be an attractive place.
“City In Bloom went on for a number of years. We used to have an officer who would organise all this stuff. When the money was taken away, they survived for a number of years just with volunteers.
“Once you get a start on these things, perhaps things will evolve and go further.”
Denise Taylor, former chairwoman of Brighton and Hove City In Bloom, said she is excited about the scheme potentially returning and would gladly accept a role judging for the competition.
She said: “Anything that brightens up the city centre which tourists and visitors can see but also the community is good. It’s lovely for everybody to get together, I fully support it and think it’s a brilliant idea.
“I would love to be a judge in the future."
A council spokesman said: “As things currently stand City In Bloom has not been approved. Our environment committee is due to receive a report about it in March.”
Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.
Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.
You can also call us on 01273 021 400.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here