Leominster’s Flowerpot Kids are going for top honours again this summer – but they’ll be going it alone.
In less than a year the 15-strong group of teenagers has turned an overgrown plot at the town’s allotments into a flourishing vegetable garden, one of three areas they have regularly tended in Leominster, and recently visited by judges as part of the Heart of England in Bloom awards’ scheme.
Though the group scooped an award in the competition last September, and continues to put in long hours at the Ginhall Lane allotment, there is some dismay that the Kids’ work is not generally recognised in the town.
In the light of Leominster’s efforts to reduce anti-social behaviour among young people there are those who feel the club, which provides an important outlet for youngsters, deserves stronger support.
One such is Sarah Holland, whose 15-year-old son, Ryan, and 12-year-old daughter, Rihannah, are Flowerpot Kids.
She said: “There are between 12 and 15 kids of mixed abilities in the group, and they all work really hard, digging, planting or watering, but it’s a shame there seems to be no recognition for what they do.”
The group is self-sufficient and cash earned by mowing lawns and undertaking gardening jobs is paid into their bank account.
Through their efforts, they manage to pay the annual £100 rate to Leominster Town Council for their larger allotment, buy seeds for planting, while also tending a garden area at the local recycling centre and private gardens. They have even managed to buy a second-hand rotavator and ride-on mower, as well as paying for public liability insurance.
Help and support comes from parents, grandparents and friends, some of whom are disappointed that the youngsters have received no official encouragement or assistance from the town.
The Flowerpot Kids’ success in last year’s Heart of England in Bloom competition came as a separate accolade from the gold award won by Leominster in Bloom. The results from both entries in this year’s competition will be announced in September.
A spokesperson for Leominster Town Council said that the Flowerpot Kids had last year received a £100 grant towards their work at the recycling centre. At their meeting last October, members congratulated them on their “positive contribution to the town”.
