Sir, The Sardis Parks and Gardens Scheme was five-years-old in March this year and the band of volunteers continue to spend many hours planning and working to keep the village looking smart. Grass cutting has continued throughout most of the winter and because of the mild weather the daffodils were in bloom a month earlier than ever before. Daffodils in full flower in mid-November made national television news because they were the first in Wales. As usual, there was the annual insurance bill and the maintenance of the grass cutters to pay and this year there was not much in the account, so it was decided to ask for donations from residents. The response to the appeal for funds was overwhelming and nearly £400 was collected in amounts from £2 to £30. This is amazing for a small village and Sardis Parks and Gardens thank everyone in the village for their generosity and also extend gratitude to the kind visitors who have made donations. This year SPG is fortunate to be awarded a grant from the Environment Agency Action Earth for the fifth year and this time it is to buy bedding plants. These will be planted at the end of May and volunteers are always welcome to help with this pleasant task. It is the Hean Castle estate that allows SPG to continue to carry on the scheme, and Dennis Hewitt who has cut the grass verges through the winter repairing them when they have been damaged by traffic. If you are passing through the village, you will see the wonderful blue haze of the bluebells and, although they are wild flowers, the country skills of cutting of the brambles allow them to flower so gloriously. This job of clearing the banks and the small woodland is carried out by Dennis and George Thomas twice a year, giving the small wild flowers a chance to be seen and shed their seeds. So it is thank you to everyone who has given their support and to volunteers who give their time to make the village a nice place to live.
Rosemarie Irvine, Secretary, Sardis,