A team of local flower fanatics are keeping their town in bloom with help from a Teesside windfarm operator.
EDF Energy Renewables, which operates the Teesside offshore wind farm at Redcar, is supporting Guisborough in Bloom with a £1,000 grant from its community benefit fund.
Guisborough in Bloom was set up in 2000 by Michael and Pandy Kilby, two former council workers who wanted to revitalise the town centre and make it more attractive to residents and visitors. The group ensures that the 108 flower baskets and 3 flower fountains in the town centre and surrounding areas are planted and maintained.
Over the past 15 years the Guisborough in Bloom group have increased the amount of displays every year with the help of the local community. The grant is set to go towards watering the flower features for a full year.
Pandy Kilby, 66, said: “We were very grateful to receive the Community Grant which will go towards our watering costs for the year.
“Being volunteers we wouldn’t be able to provide the flower displays without the generosity of individuals, groups, schools, businesses and grants from the Town Council and EDF Energy Renewables.”
The group of ten volunteers dedicate their spare time by running fundraising events, including a weekly coffee morning and rallying support from locals to raise vital funds. Volunteers of all ages lend a hand to the group, including students from Prior Pursglove College and Askham Bryan school.
Mark Halliday, operations manager for the Teesside offshore wind farm said: “The Guisborough in Bloom group were very worthy of our donation because of the great impact they make on the town. The flower displays help to create a welcoming environment for visitors and residents as well as developing engagement from the community thanks to the involvement of schools and other organisations.
“We are proud to support this organisation and hope that our donation will make a positive impact and allow the group to maintain and add to the flowers which are a focal point of the town.”
EDF Energy Renewables launched the Teesside Offshore Community Benefit Fund in partnership with the Tees Valley Community Foundation. Through the scheme, which has supported more than 70 local causes, community groups on Teesside are eligible to apply for financial support for projects, activities and events that benefit local people.