This year The LIchfield Canal Trust's two contributions to the Blooming Lichfield
entry, including the planted up “Fosseway Queen narrowboat butty and the ‘oss”
on Falkland Road, and the re-planted “ Rose Willow narrowboat “ on Tamworth
Road, helped Lichfield to achieve a Gold Award again. We received our Gold Award certificate at the Guildhall on 19th September.
The judges took great delight in both learning and understanding about our
projects, by the various voluntary groups who have improved their own specific
area and congratulated all who added to LIchfield in Bloom’s entry.
On the Horticulture criteria the judges feedback was that at the LIchfield Canal
Trust, they were greeted by the site staff who pointed out the new and very, very,
recently completed entrance feature of horse and barge, ( this not only made an
entrance feature but the skill of the staff in construction) they then went on to
indicate the major earth works of the construction and equally the care taken in
saving and protecting the local landscape as part of the major project works.
Regarding the Environment criteria all of the sites visited had an impact on the
local environment for the community and the local flora and fauna and in the tour
of the landscaped sites, they were able to see aspects of protection/
enhancement of the landscape used in the history of the site. On the aspect of
Bio-diversity the larger conservation works carried out by the Lichfield Canal Trust
is to them and the City equally as important as the hard landscaping works
which is completed in balance with the protection and saving of the sites individual
landscape.
On the Community criteria the judges noted that the work collectively achieved
as individual groups with dedicated members of the community who help, support
and manage an area or aspect of the sites is a tremendous bonus for the
individual sites, but overall these accomplishments benefit the City.
The Lichfield Canal Trust volunteers are pleased to have played a key part of this
years Lichfield in Bloom entry and very proud that Lichfield City has again achieved a
Gold Award.
Peter Buck
