There was a full house at Dean’s Place Hotel, Alfriston on Wednesday 19th August for the Seaford in Bloom Awards Ceremony 2009.  Publicity Officer Jim Murray said  "The hot August night’ helped to make this a very enjoyable social event for everyone, as we were able to relax in the hotel gardens during the refreshment break."

Chairman Isabel Stephenson thanked Dean’s Place for hosting the event then welcomed the Mayor of Seaford Cllr Tracey Willis and more than 100 invited horticultural enthusiasts.  Isabel then introduced Ashley Stephenson LVO, who gave an entertaining slide show which included photographs of floral displays in Seaford and some of the many beautiful gardens that entered this year’s Seaford in Bloom Floral Competition.  In a very informative and interesting presentation, Ashley amazingly quoted from memory, the complicated Latin names of many plants that would thrive and provide all year colour and interest in Seaford’s coastal climate.

After the refreshment break, Isabel expressed her gratitude to Seaford Town Council who continue to support us, and welcomed the new Seaford Town Clerk, Sam Shipman.  Isabel also thanked the Rotary Club of Seaford for sponsoring this event and all the different Seaford businesses, societies, clubs and associations who so generously give their support and sponsorship each year.  The help from these organisations and the events held by Seaford in Bloom throughout the year provide the funds for the containers and baskets in the town and for their maintenance.  It was very gratifying to have received so many compliments on the excellence of Seaford’s floral displays this year which makes all our hard work so worthwhile.

The “Open Gardens Day” in July was a great success and sincere thanks went to all the kind people who opened their gardens this year.  Isabel appealed for new gardens for this event in 2010 as that year will see the 20th anniversary of when she started Seaford in Bloom.  She thanked the RHS judges Ashley, John and Philip, for the twelve hours they spent judging the Floral Competition in July, and also thanked her Committee and their spouses for all the hard work they do for the benefit of Seaford in Bloom and the town.  The encouraging thing this year was the number of new entries in many of the categories, a trend that she hopes will continue in the future.

As Isabel said “not everyone can be a prize winner” but she thanked all those who had entered this year because without them there wouldn’t be a competition.

Gill and Len Fisher took home an armful of awards

After the awards the Mayor thanked Seaford in Bloom for inviting her to present the Trophies and, on behalf of Seaford Town Council, she thanked the Committee for all their hard work in providing the colourful baskets and containers that continue to make Seaford such a beautiful town.  This year the vibrant floral displays have been better than ever.  Tracey said that she was proud to be Mayor and had got to know so many kind and generous people who make Seaford such a special town in which to live.   

Isabel closed the evening with a reminder of the next fund raising event “A Quiz Night with Organic Sausage and Mash” to be held at St Leonard’s Hall on Saturday 17th October.  Tickets will soon be on sale and teams of four are required.  Details will be posted around the town.