Last week, the Oakham in Bloom AGM took place at All Saints' Church Hall, Oakham, and welcomed volunteers, big plans and a host of local officials.

Chair of Oakham in Bloom, Chris Cairns, welcomed guests Dr Sarah Furness, the Lord-Lieutenant, and Mrs Geraldine Feehally, the Rutland High Sheriff, to the annual meeting - as well as the regular volunteers who work together to support the planting and maintenance project that has been up and running in Oakham for over 25 years.

Oakham in Bloom, founded by Joyce Lucas and Richard Adams, is a horticultural group involved in many projects around the town all year round, in which volunteers plant baskets and containers and beds, as well as embracing bigger challenges such as maintaining the bypass roundabouts.

Their work is funded by generous sponsors, donations and lottery as, although they work on improving public land, the group gets no financial support from the local councils.

Oakham in Bloom has taken on numerous projects, large and small, since its foundation, from the All Saints Memorial bed, Lands End bed, the roundabouts pretty rose beds on Burley Road to the Rutland County Museum garden and the Prairie Garden at the Library.

Oakham in Bloom work to keep Oakham looking beautiful all year round. Image credit: Nub News.

A spokespersons for the group said: "As well as our own projects, we are keen to support other organisations in floral and environmental projects, such as school vegetable gardens and The Woodland Trust's Gorse Field Wood, Harris Grove & Ball's Meadow. We also support other local and national organisations with similar aims, such as the Rutland Beekeepers Association and The Woodland Trust.

​"Some years we enter Oakham in the East Midlands In Bloom competition – such a fantastic way to reward the efforts of all our volunteers and supporters. Success in East Midlands In Bloom invites us to Britain In Bloom competition for the following year."

They have won awards at many of these events, and continue to keep Oakham's floral displays in bloom all year round.

​At their recent AGM, members and guests were advised of the various achievements throughout the year, including the efforts for the King's Coronation. On top of this, the Bike bed on Uppingham Road was refurbished, the Boat bed on Stamford Road roundabout was repainted and replanted and the Peacock and the 3 Flower tubs near the Main Crossing were all improved with new plants, using a red white and blue theme.

The group also congratulated their 'Greenhouse Queen' who is "happily growing new plants for future projects."

The team plant and manage flower displays and borders in Oakham. Image credit: Nub News.

Richard Adams, Patron of the In Bloom group praised members for their efforts to keep the town so attractive for residents and visitors. He reminded people that in 1997 he and Joyce Lucas had been founder members of this thriving group. He wished them well with future projects and fundraising. 

The Chair, Officers and all committee were re-elected and a special call out for assistance for a  committee role as Minutes Secretary, which would greatly assist the Chair who has been performing both roles.

If you would be interested in filling this role, or joining the group, you can email the Chair at [email protected].

The group concluded: "We all enjoy working together for our town and environment and would welcome more people to come and join us with this worthwhile task. No regular commitment is required, we meet regularly and turn up to help whenever possible. No expertise is required, just willingness to work together  for our town."

To find out more, get in touch with the group or browse their recent projects through their website or on their Facebook page.

Alternatively, find out about their November Quiz Night and how you can join in.