Chatteris in Bloom, which won gold at Britain in Bloom and Anglia in Bloom, hang many of the flower displays on streetlights in the Cambridgeshire market town but that is now in doubt
Residents in an award-winning town are furious over being told to complete a £165 safety course – to hang flower baskets on lampposts.
Chatteris in Bloom hang many of the flower displays, which won gold at Britain in Bloom and Anglia in Bloom, on streetlights in the Cambridgeshire market town. Under new council rules, volunteers will have to complete a £165 safety course or hire out a contractor to put the displays up.
Group president Sue Unwin, 64, told the BBC that “bureaucracy was going to kill community spirit” as volunteers give their own time and money. She said: “It has become impossible with the bureaucracy and red tape. There’s some jobsworth in the county council who has made this decision – we have been doing this for over 18 years.
“None of us have that capability or the money – we give enough of our time. We do everything properly and this bureaucracy is going to kill community spirit because we are getting fed up with this. We work hard to make our town look nice. Why can’t they leave us alone to get on with it?”
Tina Prior, 48, is the former chairwoman of Chatteris in Bloom and agreed that the council’s demands were “frustrating”. She said: “It’s really demoralising when obstacles are put in your way when Chatteris in Bloom is for the benefit of the town and the community. It’s frustrating because everyone is a volunteer and gives their time freely, often in between working a full time job.
“Coming up against red tape can be a frequent issue and usually we can find ways around it. But the council seem to be digging their heels in with this and I understand there is a health and safety aspect. But Chatteris in Bloom have been using the lampposts for the last 19 years and everyone is asking ‘Why now?'”
Cambridgeshire County Council said as the streetlights are connected to the power grid, they need to “ensure everyone’s safety.” They said the safety course lasted one day and if the group already had a qualified member, they would be able to hang the baskets pending council approval.
A spokesperson added: “It’s great seeing the creative ways that communities across the county make use of streetlights with festive displays. As streetlights are directly connected to the local power grid, to ensure everyone’s safety any group wishing to display items from a streetlight needs to get in touch with the council so we can make sure essential independent safety training is completed for everyone’s wellbeing.
“We look forward to hearing from Chatteris in Bloom.”
