Hanging baskets may return to safety rules-hit town

Sue Unwin, president of Chatteris in Bloom, said baskets may be adorned on the town's streetlights once more

Hanging baskets look set to be adorned on the streetlights of a town known for its award-winning displays once more after businesses offered to help a floristry group hit by new health and safety rules.

Chatteris in Bloom members have won gold at Britain in Bloom, but were told by Cambridgeshire County Council they could no longer put their baskets on lampposts until they took a £165 safety course.

After their story hit the headlines, group president Sue Unwin said she had been contacted by people willing to pay for and sit on the course so they could put the baskets on electrical street furniture.

She said: "We have so much support behind us and we are hoping for gold again this year."

Displays were often put up with the help of a local farmer and a telehandler each May

The Fenland town's floral displays have previously won top prizes

The group's displays have been annually put on 20 lampposts in the Fenland town with the help of a local farmer and their telehandler each May, before judging begins in July.

However, new regulations from the county council said a one-day safety course costing £165, plus VAT, should be completed before they were hung - or a contractor should be hired, potentially costing hundreds of pounds.

Mrs Unwin told the BBC that volunteers had been doing it for almost 20 years and the group had neither the time nor money to pay for the course.

She added the "bureaucracy" would "kill community spirit".

The county council said safety was paramount when hanging up floral displays

She said: "Since then three businesses have offered to help us and want to know from the council what is needed.

"We [Chatteris in Bloom] just want to plant.

"We are not interested in all the red tape. We don't have time for it - there is so much to do. The hanging baskets are minor in comparison to everything else."

'Someone asked for a selfie'

Mrs Unwin said after news of the group's predicament went "national", she had even been approached for photos.

"It's not autographs any more, it's selfies - someone asked for a photo with me," she said.

"I have lived all over the world, but I have been in Chatteris for nearly half my life now. I love this town.

"We have also had more people come to us and offer to volunteer with the group."

Chatteris in Bloom hoped to hang about 40 baskets by the end of this month.

Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: "We are always keen to work closely with local communities across Cambridgeshire to make use of streetlights with festive displays.

“All we are asking is that any group wishing to create displays on our streetlights – which could involve putting heavy items overhead, on streetlights directly connected to the local power grid – is that they contact us first.

"This is so we can make sure essential independent safety training is completed for everyone's wellbeing. This is not red tape, it’s about keeping people safe.”

“We have met with Chatteris Town Council and we understand they are looking into volunteer training. We gather there is already at least one trained volunteer in the area.”