It is less than 4 years ago that Forest Row In Bloom Action Group was established by the Residents' Group, the Forest Row Association and its subscriptions paid the entry fee for the 2006 In Bloom Competition for the village, subsequently gaining a Bronze Award.
The following year, the Forest Row In Bloom Action Group had expanded to about 20 volunteers and gained a mid-Silver Award. Further expansion in 2008 saw more than 50 people involved and in the campaign spirit. They were awarded a High Silver.
Last year, 2009, the Association decided to expand even more and entered 2 other categories in the In Bloom competition. As well as entering the village itself, entries were also made for the Recreational and Public Spaces and the Schools category. This proposal was supported by the Forest Row Parish Council representation on the Action Group committee.
Due to the enthusiasm of the In Bloom Action Group members, both categories were awarded Silver Gilt. This was a historic time for horticulture in the village and by the end of 2009 there were no less than 272 people involved, possibly more, from the Village Playgroup toddlers, the Forest Row Primary School Gardening Club, Michael Hall Vegetable Garden students and staff, Greenfields School Infants class, congregational members of local churches, Forest Row traders and publicans, allotment holders, residents and the Recycling Site.
During 2009, as well as entering additional categories, In Bloom members grew 100's of plants from seed which were used in local schools, in the Freshfield Hall gardens and in other public places. Members also introduced a Tree Quiz for children which was launched at the Forest Row Fun Day in June and used at the Michael Hall Open Day and Greenfields Fair.
The In Bloom Action Group representatives met with The British Trust Conservation Volunteers which culminated in December 2009 in the organisation of the BBC Tree Planting Hour, a national campaign attempting to have 1 million trees planted in one hour and entered into the Guinness Book of Records. No less than 331 trees were planted within that hour in Forest Row at four sites, including the new cemetery extension.
2010 promises to hold even more expansion and be the best year yet, with thousands more plants being grown from seed, more areas being landscaped, greater involvement by the Forest Row traders and so on.
Forest Row In Bloom Action group is open to everyone, visitors or residents, in the village, who would like to participate in any way with fundraising, planting, marketing, gardening, or any other form of encouragement/support For details and further information, please call 01342 826480
