Blooming Bury St Edmunds is back in business and dress to impress

Bury St Edmunds is dressed to impress as it opens for business again.

More than 350 hanging baskets and dozens of planters and boxes are filled with flowers to ensure the town looks its blooming best this summer.

David Irvine, Bury in Bloom co-ordinator, said: “Seeing all the hanging baskets going up is a massive relief this year and more so as it happens just as shops and businesses are beginning to open.

“We really wanted the town to look its best after such a depressing time and send out a message to residents and visitors: ‘Come and visit the jewel in the crown, we are open for business and dressed to impress’.”

David, who took over as co-ordinator in October, said he had been thrown in at the deep end.

“Life became a rollercoaster as the coronavirus lockdown regulations came into play and our plans went up in smoke – the sink or swim situation concentrates your mind no-end,” said David.

“We are a small organisation and when supporters and sponsors feel the draught, we end up with pneumonia,” said David.

Support from Business Improvement District organisation Our Bury St Edmunds, Bury Town Council and West Suffolk Council have made displays possible this year.

Hanging basket numbers have been cut, but according to David ‘careful repositioning’ means the impact would hardly be noticeable.

“There will be plenty to see: the Abbey Gardens will look spectacular as always and the new sculpture of recycled material called ‘Crowning Glory’ will be on display from July 6,” said David, adding a fountain of flowers at West Suffolk Hospital – called A Great Big Thank You – would be unveiled this month.