Studley in Bloom

Voluntary Blooms
by Rothery
 I paused on High Street to admire
A hanging basket there.
Above pale moss and rootlet hair
Red purple fire trembles down:
A coloured show of summer hale
'midst brown-green tendrils lush below.

What is it in their heart that grooms
This fine consummate will?
What burns that spirit there to fill
The need to bloom and spill with pride,
The village attitude, and turn
The tide of covert apathy?

And if this power lies latently
In such communities,
Then why so few the mantle seize
To plant the patent frieze withal,
To volunteer, to serve; to try
The call to floral village verve?



I believe some time ago one or two people saw the need before any one else for Studley to be just as pretty in the summer as any other village. They knew that flowers and planting would make a difference to the appearance of the Village. They started to shout about it and began to recognize what needed to be done. Nobody else seemed to be doing anything so they thought to themselves, "We'll have just get on with it." Thus Studley in Bloom was formed.

I know from many years of experience of being a Councillor (primarily a voluntary role) to make a real difference that it takes time and commitment. Studley in Bloom in doing this have given something more valuable than money to the Village. They have helped to create a pretty picture that detracts from the closed shops and unused buildings.

There can be little doubt that the act of volunteering can make a difference. The effort made year after year by Studley in Bloom is testimony to this. They have brought about a physical change to the areas they work in. Residents can see the difference and will say "Aren't the flowers beautiful this year?" Or "Don't Studley in Bloom work hard?".

I am sure the volunteers do not expect rewards. They seem to be motivated by nothing more than the love of plants and Studley, their home. However sometimes it should be publicly said: "Studley in Bloom, thank you for contributing so richly to the Village and I am glad you live in Studley"

Hazel Wright
Ward Member

For all the latest please click NEWS in the menu above. Articles include the design and construction of a smart new sculpture on the island at Priory Square, and an ambitious new tree-planting project in association with The Woodland Trust and RHS Britain in Bloom 2011.

The Photo Gallery is packed with interesting content, including a large number of recent photos from our Spring 2011 collection, a specialised collection of the Churchyard snowdrops, and selected shots from previous years. Please feel free to browse through this wonderful portfolio of our village in all its beauty. High resolution images of these pictures can be provided on request.

We would welcome any further contributions from the village community, so if you have an interesting story, especially if supported by pictures, or you simply have some pictures you'd like to be included in the gallery, then please feel free to submit them to me. Send directly to me: mike.rothery@keynetix.com.