Wednesfield in Bloom!

Wednesfield discovered the competition back in 2015. Simon Archer and the Volunteers in ‘Hands on Wednesfield’ came up with the idea of entering the Village of Wednesfield into the Heart of England competition. They thought it would appeal to the residents, and it fitted with their own vision of Volunteering, and lifting the soul of the Village.

So, in 2015 the work began by the ‘Hands on Wednesfield’ team started. The challenge was to get the Village, its shop keepers, Landowners, and other institutions involved in brightening up the Village core.

The Village of Wednesfield sits within the City of Wolverhampton. The City Council were not in a position to help. Austerity measures were pushing the City close to financial meltdown. The Parks department and its staff were in a dire situation and the City Council shed some 2,000 jobs. Flowers and rose gardens etc, grass cutting and maintenance of green spaces were amongst the first services to take a hit. As the City tried to manages its declining budgets.

They were tough times for the City, but it did create the right conditions for the ‘Hands on Wednesfield’ Volunteers to step up and appeal for public help and funds to tidy up the Village core. The idea was to clear weeds. Dig over abandoned and raised Flower beds, and take over the responsibility for the planting of those beds. Brighten up a grey and unkept Village.

City of Wolverhampton didn’t have the cash to do the jobs that needed to be done. But they were keen to help the Volunteers and gave them the permissions to move in on the areas that had been abandoned. So, after some pretty sparsely attended early meetings – more Volunteers were called for.  Hands on Wednesfield under the chairmanship of Simon Archer stepped into the organisational Bull Ring and we were off!

In the winter of 2015 plans were laid and the Village started to see what was happening in the early months of 2016. At the end of the period. The ‘In Bloom’ Inspectors came and in the September we found that we had won a Silver Award. Great Joy! And worth all the hard work.

2018 Gold and a Community Award

2017 Gold Award

2016 Silver Award

There could be a book written about the dramas of those early years. But that is not the reason for this article.

I just felt that Wednesfield residents would appreciate what really has been achieved by hard work, a good heart, and volunteering!

In 2017 we won Gold again – In 2017 there were  more people involved. More Volunteers and more pride. The fact that our Volunteers are so diverse culturally also adds to what we have achieved after the 2017 campaign. The Gurdwara is heavily involved. Transforming their grounds into a really fine border Gardens.

The judges have always been captivated by the warmth of the Gurdwara welcome. The way that the Ladies from the Gurdwara and St Thomas’s Church share craft sessions, and deliver such artistic works to complement the flowers. It wasn’t long before the TV was coming to the planting sessions to see ‘Our Community’ working so hard together for the common good!

Wednesfield In just four short years  from inception to action – all those that have volunteered should feel really very proud of what has been achieved.

We have done exceptionally well and in short this is how this part of Wolverhampton have got so far, and in this year why we have extended the Wednesfield in Bloom bid up to and into Ashmore Park.

Ashmore Park lies in the North East of Wolverhampton. It’s a very ancient part of the Village of Wednesfield. One of its claims to historical fame is that when it was first built in the early 1950’s it was one of the largest housing estates in the Country.  At the Heart of Ashmore Park lies its Shopping Parade.

The Wednesfield in Bloom bid this year will take in the Shopping Parade and a stretch of Griffith Drive. Which will include The Hub at Ashmore Park, The Ashmore Park Nursery School, The Ashmore Inn, and St Albans Church.

It’s a very sizeable addition to the core Village entry – which is The St Thomas’s Church, The Gurdwara, The Library, Sainsbury and the amphitheatre plus Bentley Bridge. We have just two hours to transport the Wednesfield in Bloom Judges and complete the whole Ashmore Park project and the Wednesfield Village walk!

The Ashmore Park project is both exciting and dangerous! Exciting because since the announcement that Ashmore Park was to be judged with the now established Wednesfield Village bid. It has sparked a huge energy of committed and new Volunteers.

Ashmore Park had a public planting day on the 1st June. It was a marvellous morning and we had all our plants donated by individuals. Some had bought them. Some had grown them. But what a turnout!

All the shop keepers are involved, look for the Posters in the shop windows. Some have bought their own flowers and are displaying them outside their shops. Some pledge to water. It is transforming a grey and spartan Shopping Parade making it bright and just brilliant.

Here is the record of all the Volunteers that have helped this great campaign, which is now really established and the Chair Joanna Watson of St Thomas’s Church, took a bit of a gamble when agreeing to the extension of the bid taking place. We all believe that the extended Wednesfield bid is the right way forward. But if you like me are a bit scared, then you are right in my own mind. We would be embarrassed if we didn’t add to the Villages growing reputation.

So, if you are a visitor or a resident of the City of Wolverhampton, take a look at all the hard work that is taking place. Marvel at the way everyone is coming together to deliver flowers and colours. The community spirit is everywhere here in Wednesfield  – enjoy it….

Wednesfield in Bloom

2018 Gold and a Community Award

2017 Gold Award

2016 Silver Award