Cranbrook in Bloom 2019

Dedicated to a Colourful Cranbrook

To promote community spirit, social inclusion, and improved opportunities for

everyone to fully engage in enhancing Cranbrook Town Centre and various green

areas around Cranbrook with planting and maintaining of flowers and shrubs. The

aim is to improve the cultural life of the community with the object of improving the

quality of life for people who live and work in Cranbrook and surrounding areas.

Kindly Sponsored by

Reg. Charity no: 1178988

Introduction

In 2018 Cranbrook in Bloom was granted charity status. To that end, and to reflect its current and past

activities, it has rewritten its objectives, placing emphasis on community building and social inclusion in

all its plant-centred events.

Horticulture

➢ In July 2018 we tried a new idea, planting out perennials in the High Street. This has worked

well and more planters have now been filled with perennials. (see photo below)

➢ In October we re-planted the 50 troughs with pansies and daffodils.

Below: Volunteers working in the Crane Valley alongside the Kent High Weald Partnership

➢ The communal herb box outside the Weald Information Centre has again been well used by

our local gastronomes or anyone in town who wants some herbs for cooking.

➢ The grasses we replaced on the roundabout, a mixture of Stipa Tenuissima and the

Calamagrostis Karl Foerster are thriving.

➢ The Union Mill (Windmill) has again been involved with the Bloom campaign. We have

provided them with new planters which they have planted up to suit.

➢ Cranbrook Museum is also an important tourist attraction and the volunteers have been

very keen to promote their museum and gardens again this year. They support the Garden

Safari by opening specially on the day and providing refreshments as they have also done

for Cranbrook Goes Nuts in May.

➢ Businesses within the town support the Bloom campaign making financial donations and

water/dead head when necessary.

➢ Approximately 25 clubs, schools, businesses and voluntary groups are actively involved in

our activities.

➢ During the year hundreds of plants and bulbs have been planted, including bulbs in the

churchyard, grass verges and adopted areas of the town. 400 pansies and 300 daffodils

were planted altogether.

➢ Seedlings including wild flowers were planted along the perimeter walls of the churchyard.

➢ We use John Innes with a peat multi-purpose compost 50/50mix to save water and all our

troughs have reservoirs.

➢ We have used careful planting this summer with more drought-resistant geraniums on the

sunny side and perennial planting on the shady side. Plants this year begonia, petunia,

calibrachoa and geranium.

➢ Plants were sourced from a local independent nursery using peat-free compost.

➢ Dragon wings planted at the Market Cross (Weald Information Centre) create a bold

display.

➢ Over 50 troughs have been planted up. Boxes have been re-painted and in some cases

refurbished and moved to better positions in the town.

Below: Jo and Georgia empty the troughs in town [Silver Duke of Edinburgh Students]

➢ The wild flower areas have been maintained in the car parks.

➢ Local verges including: The Copse and outside Forge Orchard are managed by Cranbrook in

Bloom.

➢ We also manage the roundabout at Wilsley Pound. This has won a drought tollerant award

for its planting.

➢ Our annual front garden competition will be judged the week commencing 24 June.

➢ We are expecting about 40 to 50 entries and have categories that include best front

garden, best wildlife friendly garden, best hanging basket, best planters and tubs and best

window boxes. The results are announced at our Presentation Evening in October.

➢ We also have a business premises competition, including pubs and restaurants.

Environmental Responsibility

The Library Pond ➢ The Library Pond, which is owned by Kent County Council, was adopted by Cranbrook in

Bloom and is managed as a wildlife area. After several meetings with KCC Libraries,

arrangement was made that KCC would clear the pond and surrounding area of reedmace,

and scrub. We would then plant and maintain the rear of the pond garden.

➢ In the autumn we planted 30 whips which were given to us by the Woodland Trust. They

included dog rose, dogwood, crab apple, hazel and hawthorn (5 of each variety)

➢ Cranbrook in Bloom volunteers clear rubbish and debris as necessary and arrange for the reed

mace to be professionally cleared when needed.

Below: Photo of our Duke of Edinburgh student Becky and Brian Swan, Cranbrook and Sissinghurst

Parish Councillor planting whips

➢ A Risk assessment has been agreed and adopted

with Kent County Council Libraries.

➢ The pond was cleared by an ecological company

called TWIG, a local company based in Horsmonden

(see photo left)

Forge Orchard

➢ Forge Orchard was adopted by

Cranbrook in Bloom to preserve as a

wildlife area and we encourage the

local Cranbrook Guides, Cubs and

Scouts to hold activities in the orchard

using the educational pack provided.

The educational pack is available on-

line for schools etc to use.

➢ We now have a five-year plan in place

to prune the trees and tend the

orchard as we have a licence until 2022

to look after this ancient orchard.

➢ We are in the process of applying for

local funding to enable us to provide

activity days in the orchard for local

groups.

Car Parks and Parking

➢ Sean Holden, on behalf of Kent County Council,

gave a donation for three planters and these have

been planted up with bee-friendly flowers. The

planting has now been divided to provide more

plants for other areas in the car park.

➢ Work has been undertaken on the advice from

our judges last year, to update the planting to

include more suitable plants for the size of the

planters.

➢ We are working with Kent High Weald Partnership

and Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council to

improve and enhance public areas.

➢ Following a meeting with Cranbrook and

Sissinghurst Parish Council and the High Weald

Partnership, a plan has been adopted to improve

the area including scrubbing out and replanting

the grass margins between parking bays.

➢ A large pine tree has been removed and other

tree works have been undertaken.

➢ Electric charger points have been installed in the Jockey

Lane car park for visitors to charge their electric cars when

visiting the town. (see photo right)

➢ The Parish Council has repainted the white lines in the car

parks.

➢ Our Chairman is also a member of Cranbrook

Conservation Area Advisory Committee (CCAAC) and that

committee was consulted on the new parking restriction

signage in the town.

➢ The committee advised their preference of primrose

yellow lines which has now been applied, instead of larger

signs at the entrance to the restricted parking area. This

has been implemented on a trial basis, hence the

temporary notifications attached to many lamp posts. We

believe these are more in keeping with our Town

The Crane Valley

➢ Crane Valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is well maintained by Kent High

Weald Partnership, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Cranbrook in Bloom. Work is

undertaken by volunteers on specific workdays as arranged by Kent High Weald Partnership.

➢ The surrounding area which includes children’s play equipment, is kept clean and tidy by

Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council, Ivor the Parish Warden and Cranbrook in Bloom.

Cranbrook in Bloom volunteers have been litter picking in the Crane Valley on a regular basis.

➢ The surface beneath the play equipment has been replaced.

Recycling and Waste Disposal ➢ Cranbrook has the privilege of several re-cycling containers in the Regal Car Park and also a

regular visit by a mobile lorry taking household rubbish too big for household bins.

➢ Urbaser Ltd are the new recycling, waste and street cleaning provider.

➢ At present residents have 3 re cycling bins:

Green Bin: Non-Recyclable waste

Brown Bin: Food and Garden Waste

Green Boxes: Cans, Tins, Plastics, Cartons, Metal Foil, Paper and Cardboard

➢ There are less re cycling bins in the Regal car Park now as it is considered that clothes and

other textiles can be given to charity shops, who may not be able to sell them but can make

money by recycling them. This has made the area much cleaner and easier to maintain and

the space made, may be used for further parking.

➢ There are now 4 green glass bins, 3 brown glass bins, 3 clear glass bins, 1 DVD/Books bins and

2 containers for metal cans/tins. This will however be cut down in September when the new

kerbside collection service starts.

➢ New kerbside collections will include glass for the first time along with paper/cardboard etc.

➢ Additional recycling collections for garden waste and weekly food waste will also come on

line.

➢ Additional recycling collections of textiles, household batteries and small electrical appliances

such as toasters/kettles will also be available.

➢ The TWBC empty the town bins six days a week

➢ The Parish litter bins are emptied twice a week by local contractor Urbaser Limited, with whom

we have a good relationship, road sweep regularly. The bins in the car parks are emptied every

day.

➢ They also empty the waste bins in the play areas which are now black and gold. Tunbridge Wells

Borough Council and Kent County Council are always very supportive and prompt with any fly

tipping or graffiti issues, in and around the town. Our community support Officer and our Parish

Clerks, act immediately, to deal with any environmental problems. No report of graffiti this

year.

➢ Cranbrook has a band of very conscientious litter pickers 365 day a year!!!

➢ Certain Cranbrook residents cannot pass a piece of litter. We do acknowledge and appreciate

these efforts along with the Cleaning Contractors.

➢ Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council arrange and supports at least two town litter Picks

every year.

➢ Cranbrook Cemetery, on the outskirts of the town, is

maintained by the Parish Council.

➢ The stained-glass windows in the chapel were designed by

local artist Mike Woodford, who was caretaker at Cranbrook

Primary School for many years. The glass depicts the local

scenery of the

Weald through

the four seasons.

A display of his

work is currently

on show in the

Museum.

The War Memorial

2018 overview by Ginny Peace – Member of Cranbrook In Bloom Team:

“I was weeding in and around the War Memorial last summer and realised that it was all

becoming rather overgrown and unkempt. Weeding away in the hot July sunshine I felt more

and more aware of what this memorial meant to the people of Cranbrook and that it was sad to

see it so neglected. Many of us go to the annual Remembrance Day service and then parade up

the High Street to pray and remember at the War Memorial, raised by the townspeople to

honour their dead of two World Wars. I drive or walk past it every day and take it for granted.

It felt unbelievably poignant that it was now full of weeds and overgrown plants. After making

it reasonably presentable for judging, I came home and did some research into what was planted

in other war memorials and found some suggestions by Gertrude Jekyll for Edwin Lutyens and

we decided to make some changes in our planting scheme:

We already had lavender and chose to replace the existing largely dead or overgrown plants with

Lavender Angustifolia “Sussex.” It is one of the old lavenders, robust and tall growing which is

important because it needs to be seen over the walls.

Another popular choice was the rose and we have planted two Rosa Rugosa Alba because they

are robust, long lasting and long flowering. Everything we plant at this site has to work hard for

its place! We also planted Nepeta and Rosemary “Remembrance” as well as hardy geraniums.

In the autumn we planted Lenten roses alongside the daffodils and snowdrops that are already

planted there.”

Following conversations with the owners of overhanging trees, Cranbrook Parish Council

arranged for the trees to be cut back to a more manageable size.

Since the revamp of the garden, the area has been greatly improved and is a lovely spot to sit

and reflect, much appreciated by local residents.

St Dunstan’s Churchyard

➢ The churchyard is maintained by Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council and Cranbrook in Bloom

have also been involved by planting seedlings & wildflowers. We also varnish & paint the benches

that have been donated to the town & placed in the churchyard.

➢ A new handrail has been made by

local craftsman Rob Longley and

installed by Cranbrook and

Sissinghurst Parish Council. It has

taken a while to obtain the

necessary permission but is now

really appreciated by all

churchgoers who previously found

the incline difficult.

➢ The churchyard is believed to have

dated back to 1509. There are 850

recorded graves, one being a

wealthy clothier buried in 1608 and

Elizabeth Paine the estranged wife

of Thomas Paine, who wrote ‘The

Rights of Man’, is buried here.

Edmund Clarke who climbed Mont

Blanc, died in 1836 is also buried

just outside Church House.

➢ The area between the church steps

and the Vestry Hall has been

planted and tended by the Jo and

David who live at Church Gates.

They have also adopted the Herb

Box in Stone Street.

Community Participation

Once again residents and businesses have demonstrated the importance of working together

with the same aim of maintaining and improving the work of Cranbrook in Bloom.

➢ Our year has been filled with working parties, outdoor fun days for families, litter picking,

weed pulling, planting and planning.

➢ Many events have been planned together with The Kent High Weald Partnership, and this

has made it a very interesting and varied year for everyone. We are fortunate to be able to

draw on their expertise and reach out to the community together.

Hartley House

➢ We are helping to refurbish and replant

a raised bed with residents and relatives

with scented flowers and plants the

residents remember. This will be a

memory garden.

➢ We are also thrilled that a group of

residents is undertaking the upkeep of

two flower troughs in the town.

Wellbeing in the Weald

➢ In February we were invited to attend a local group meeting to discuss Wellbeing in the

Weald, a new initiative in conjunction with Involved Kent. This has since developed and they

now have an allotment in town for locals to use. Locals are being encouraged to join in

tending the plot and donating plants to grow on it. They meet weekly on a Sunday

➢ We have donated our surplus plants and straw for their strawberries.

Local Schools and Nurseries

➢ Cranbrook Primary School, is fortunate in owning a ‘Forest School’ as part of its grounds.

This has developed further over the last year.

➢ The outside play area of the Rainbow Pre-School in the High Street has raised beds which

are planted up. This is supported by Cranbrook in Bloom. Recycled plants are given to them

to plant up.

➢ Cranbrook School is an important part of the town.

They are helpful with their community input including

the Garden Safari and Nuts in May. They have also

allowed the use of their car parks for community

events.

➢ Members of the Cranbrook CCF help us to mix 64 bags

of compost ready for planting the town flower boxes.

Forge Orchard [see more information under Environmental Responsibilities section]

➢ There have been many happy days at this

amazing old orchard. It is home to our

growing compost heaps, and many beneficial

bugs.

➢ Local Brownies, Guides and Scouts are invited

to use the Orchard for a range of events over

the year.

➢ We encourage local residents to visit the

orchard and several local families spend time

here with their children, exploring and having

picnics. There is also an educational

download available.

Presentation Evening

➢ This was a very successful event held in October. Over 120 people attended to accept our

thanks for their continued support and to receive their very well-earned certificates. The

Royal Tunbridge Wells Mayor presented the certificates at a great fun evening, including

Mayor’s Bears badges to the children.

➢ Members of local children’s groups including: Pre-school, primary school, Beavers, Cubs,

Scouts, Brownies, and Guides received prizes and certificates, acknowledging their efforts

and contributions to the town’s campaign.

Apple and Craft Fayre 6 October 2018

➢ A Craft Fayre is held in the Vestry hall with around 10 local stallholders taking part. We offer tea

and homemade cakes to visitors.

➢ The Apple Fayre gives many children and adults the

opportunity to use our apple press to see the process. We

offered sample tastings and sold bottles of our freshly

pressed juice and other homemade apple produce.

➢ This event raised £587 for Cranbrook in Bloom funds.

➢ This is an annual town event which is well attended and

now in its 13th year.

Plant Sales in the High Street and at Garden Safari

➢ These are an excellent way to not only sell plants but also meet people and talk about our

`In Bloom` campaign.

➢ A financial and community success raising over £1,000 during the year from three plant

sales.

Cranbrook Garden Safari (17th June 2018)

➢ This is always a wonderful day, being supported by visitors to the Town as well as local

residents. This is our main money-making event of the year when we sell tickets to see the

gardens as well as offering refreshments and a plant sale to our visitors. ➢ We made a profit of £1,637 at this event. The support and dedication by local gardeners

including Cranbrook School [photo below top left] is much appreciated. All garden owners

are invited to our Presentation/Thank you Evening. ➢ Eleven gardens opened as well as local attractions: Museum, Church Tower, and the

Windmill. The Museum served teas and light refreshments. Visitors were also invited to

see the local allotments.

Potted History of Cranbrook in Bloom

1994 The first entry. Result third [out of 3 entries]

2003 Funding from SEEDA enabled us to obtain a water bowser

2006 After several years we were granted a “Licence to Cultivate” certain areas of the town. This gave us the go-ahead to landscape Wilsley Pound Roundabout. Sponsorship came from local businesses. An overgrown pond was exposed in the library grounds. We arranged for debris to be cleared and a dipping platform erected.

2007 Wilsley Pound roundabout awarded “Landscape Award” [South and South East in Bloom]

2008 We adopted an old orchard for which we have an educational pack. An outside classroom has been made and is frequently used.

2011 Funding from the Big Lottery, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council, KHWP, Kent County Council, and Explore Kent has enabled us to produced a free local walking guide.

2012 Awarded GOLD in South and South East in Bloom competition. Received the “Beat The Drought Award”

2013 Our local Borough Councillor provided a grant to buy planters for bee-friendly plants in the Regal Car Park, the ownership of which had recently been transferred from TWBC to the Parish Council.

2014 A website was set up with help from two local businessmen. We received GOLD for the second time and were invited to enter Britain in Bloom for which we received SILVER GILT.

2015 We were invited to enter Britain in Bloom again and awarded SILVER GILT. Brilliant result.

2016 5000 purple crocuses planted. Larchmere House Nursing Home involved for the first time. No entry into the South and SE in Bloom competition, but still very busy. A portfolio was produced.

2017 Our campaign this year was sponsored by Don Bros, a local business. We won a GOLD award in the South and South East in Bloom Competition. We organised the first “Cranbrook Goes Nuts in May”. This was a two-day community event to showcase Cranbrook. It was linked to the Chelsea Fringe “alternative garden festival” and supported by local businesses and Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council.

2018 CiB campaign kindly sponsored by Don Bros and the Parish Council again. We achieved a Gold award in the S&SE in bloom and a Silver Gilt in the BiB. We worked with Hartley House Care Home, Cranbrook Primary School Gardening Club and Forest School. Continued assessment of the Copse, Designated Roadside Nature Reserve with the Kent Wildlife Trust. We replanted the War Memorial. Cranbrook Goes Nuts in May event ran again for the second year running on the last bank holiday in May for one day.

Press Coverage / Advertising:

Articles and advertisements were included in the following magazines, and newspapers:

Wealden Advertiser, Kent Messenger, Parish Cake Magazine, The Daily Express Saturday Magazine

and the Tunbridge Wells News.