THE STILL small but determined Ledbury in Bloom team had to work as volunteer road sweepers this year, because of council cuts; but they found that the streets were paved with gold.

The town this week is celebrating its eighth Heart of England in Bloom gold medal in a row, after a challenging year when the volunteers took on extra cleaning, planting and watering duties.

Sharon Maiden, chairman of the twelve-strong Ledbury in Bloom team said: "It's been hard work, with lots of negative vibes to begin with, but we all pulled together."

In previous years, Herefordshire Council contractors would have played a larger role in the efforts; but 2014 was the year when cuts really bit, especially in the areas of street cleaning and grass cutting.

Team Vice Chairman, Margaret Thomas said: "The lack of planting was an issue, and watering was an issue. But Ledbury Town Council have been watering the hanging baskets and they have been very supportive."

The team members took it upon themselves to water public flower beds and tubs, and even to sweep the streets on occasions.

But the Ledbury in Bloom team's efforts really paid off on Thursday, September 11, when the results were announced at Shrewsbury Theatre.

Mrs Maiden said: "It was wonderful, absolutely wonderful, - but a bit nail biting, because a lot of bronzes and silvers were being announced."

But it was gold for Ledbury again, in year when even the judges recognised the difficulties faced by the town.

In their report on Ledbury, judges Nicola Clarke and Roger Bache said: "Budget cuts have hit hard in this part of the world, - should wonderful public open space really have to be maintained by residents so children can play football?

"Now the good bits, - stunning, quite stunning hanging baskets at the hospital. “Tickled pink” what a great theme, - the Fire Station, the spectacular hydrangeas, Spellar Metcalfe troughs, - it goes on. Homend Mews, maintained by Ledbury in Bloom, - gold for pollinators hits the brief spot on. The massive community commitment driven by new members of Bloom is really paying dividends. Gold."

The Ledbury in Bloom team will say a big thank you to its sponsors and supporters at a prize giving ceremony in the Burgage Hall, Church Lane, on October 1, at 7.45pm.