The St Neots in Bloom group officially closed down at a special general meeting held on October 19.

A unanimous motion was passed after the meeting heard from chairman, Alison Pearson, that the committee did not feel it could fulfil its “constitutional aim for the foreseeable future”.

During the meeting, Alison thanked the committee (past and present), community groups, individual volunteers and sponsors who had helped secure the town a silver, five silver-gilt and two gold awards between 2007 and 2014. Waitrose and St Neots Town Council received particular thanks for financial and practical support.

The meeting ended on a positive note with an Environmental Improvement Award being presented to the St Neots U3A Gardening Team for the tremendous work they have done in transforming the public garden in St Neots High Street, in front of the United Reform Church.

A total of £2,675 was also donated to local groups to help improve the environment of the town. Recipients were ESCA, The Pightle Millennium Green Trust, Friends of Sudbury Meadow, Priory Park Friends Group, St Neots and District Gardening Club, U3A Gardening Team and the Rotary Club St Neots St Mary’s, Barford Road. Pocket Park and Love’s Farm Community Association had already received £500 each. The remaining bank balance will be donated to St Neots Town Council in accordance with St Neots in Bloom’s Constitution, for the improvement of the green and floral environment.

Pic cap: Left to right are: Julia Haywood (The Pightle Millennium Green Trust), Christine Elmes (Friends of Sudbury Meadow), Alison Pearson (chairman of St Neots in Bloom), Sue Jarrett (ESCA), Barbara Braybrook (U3A Gardening Team), Graham Wright (Rotary Club St Neots St Mary’s), Francisca Shaw (Priory Park Friends Group and St Neots and District Gardening Club).