Sir,
Hopefully, most local people have seen, and appreciated the sight of, the numerous flower tubs dotted around the village which are filled with plants around this time of the year for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. The mystery here, if anyone bothers to think about it, is who are the persons concerned with the job of planting and maintaining these tubs and displays, of which there are in fact an impressive total in excess of 75? Added to which there is an area of planting around the Brooklands residential properties also maintained by the same group - in all a very formidable workload and commitment most ably and willingly accomplished, year in and year out, on a purely voluntary basis by a relatively small group of ladies and gentlemen (but mostly ladies) within the Saundersfoot in Bloom organisation of which there are around 14 members. They even individually pay an annual membership fee towards the inescapable administrative costs of the exercise!
A 'planting out' exercise was undertaken by the majority of this highly public spirited group on Thursday last (June 3) and this activity was seen as an opportunity of introducing those members then present to the community at large, while also giving an insight into our indebtedness to these people -hopefully through the good offices of your newspaper. Hence this letter which I undertook to write, with accompanying photographs, in illustration of 'what goes on' and by whom.
Those members able to be present and undertake the work involved on that day are shown collectively around the walled planting area by The Strand at the top of the beach slipway. While not named, I am sure that they will mostly be recognised, especially the leader of the group, Clr. Mrs. Rosemary Hayes, MBE. And while most probably being recognised locally because of who they are, I feel that few are known by virtue of their contribution to our society in this particular cause. A further picture shows one lady member busily engaged in planting up a container - a back bending, energy consuming routine not so easily accomplished by the older members of society, a distinction claimed by the vast majority of this small but dedicated band of workers!
All of which deals with enigma No.1. Enigma No.2 is, however, the other side of the coin, which could perhaps be more aptly named as 'enemy No.1' - the vandals. A small measure of such handiwork apparently carried out by this lunatic fringe of society can be seen in the further two accompanying pictures. One shows a concrete container reduced to a lump of scrap and temporarily held together with pieces of string in an effort to prevent the scattering of the broken lumps and what little remains of the contents. The other picture - of the large square planted feature comprising a raised flower bed set in stone walling - shows that a number of the coping stones originally set in concrete have been torn from their concrete bedding and left on top of the soil. Potential ammunition for the mindless wretches who apparently gain pleasure from carrying out such depraved acts of anti-social behaviour.
On a less serious but equally non-productive and frustrating level there are of course occasional incidents of plants being maliciously uprooted or beheaded when in bloom. A few of the plants set out on Thursday were found uprooted on the following morning, but fortunately were left lying on the soil, and thus found, were replanted when spotted by a Saundersfoot in Bloom member while shopping in the village.
No doubt these sad individuals take pride in their achievements, and so are equally deserving of the acknowledgement and publicity extended to their counterparts as mentioned above, even 'though for an entirely different reason!
So how about it, lads and possibly lasses? I would be quite happy to afford you the same publicity as that now extended to the Saundersfoot In Bloom members, complete with photographs clearly identifying those concerned, if you feel you could overcome your modesty and attend for the necessary photo session.
Meanwhile, we do at least know who our friends are! And most of us are greatly appreciative of their untiring efforts.
Frederic G. Morton,
Rook Howe,
16 Scandinavia Heights,
Saundersfoot.