Award-winning in-bloom floral team loses funding

The Ludlow In Bloom team have won 20 golds for the town over the past 25 years, Councillor Viv Parry said

Funding for a group that organises Ludlow in Bloom is to be withdrawn with the town council taking over annual arrangements.

Floral decorations have been put up in the town since 1999, with the group behind it winning 20 gold awards over the years.

Councillor Viv Parry, the group's current chairperson, was very upset when she heard the news but despite accepting the council's decision, she said: "I'm very sad about it."

Ludlow Town Council has been contacted for a response.

"I honestly think if they had just given me a chance we would have been able to carry on and do what we've always done before," said Ms Parry.

"But I feel it's no good arguing with the town council, if they decide on something, it's the councillors that decide and if they decide on something then you've got to go with that."

Ms Parry, who has been in charge for the past 12 years, said it had been hard work but always enjoyable.

"Last year, we got the highest marks we've ever had.. and they said it was because we were a good community and we appreciated all the things we had done for us," she explained.

She hopes the new team will "work towards the same way we did it" and will always carry it on and attract visitors to the town.