Barnstaple councillors come up with Bloom cash

BARNSTAPLE In Bloom could be brighter than anticipated this summer after two local councillors offered �5,000 to help ease its cash crisis. County Councillors Brian Greenslade and Chris Haywood stepped in after seeing the story in last week s Gazette whic

BARNSTAPLE In Bloom could be brighter than anticipated this summer after two local councillors offered �5,000 to help ease its cash crisis.County Councillors Brian Greenslade and Chris Haywood stepped in after seeing the story in last week's Gazette which told how the group had lost its �8,600 North Devon Council grant.Yesterday (Tuesday) they were due to seek agreement from the North Devon County Committee to use �5,000 of their Locality funds to help bridge the gap."Barnstaple has a well deserved reputation as a floral star right across Europe," said Cllr Greenslade, the Leader of Devon County Council."This attracts people to our town to see the floral displays, especially important at present given the economic difficulties being faced, so we cannot let it wither and die."Cllr Haywood added: "It helps put Barnstaple on the map and draws many visitors to our town. I hope our intervention will help keep Barnstaple blooming."John Wilsher, who told the Gazette of the funding crisis after the district council voted to allocate its �23,319 bloom budgets to other areas, said: "Although I'm no longer chairman, I'm thrilled publicity through the Gazette has ensured such a positive response from Barnstaple's two county councillors."Irene Hockin, who has become Barnstaple In Bloom chairman, said at an emergency meeting on Monday committee members were delighted to hear the news."A decision was made not to enter South West in Bloom this year, but that every effort would be made to use any sponsorship and funding received to make Barnstaple's floral displays as beautiful as ever for residents and visitors to our town," she said.