FUNDS NEEDED TO BRING FLOWER POWER TO TOWN (From Warrington Guardian)

FUNDS NEEDED TO BRING FLOWER POWER TO TOWN

FLOWER fans are hoping businesses will rally round to help transform Congleton into a riot of colour.

More than 1,000 hanging baskets and tubs are due to decorate the town centre this summer.

The floral initiative is being organised by the newly-formed Congleton in Bloom group, which has taken over the project from Congleton Community Projects.

Group members need to raise £4,500 by April, and are seeking sponsorship as well as planning a series of social events to help hit their target.

''The brilliant display of hanging baskets and tubs will be a splendid way of seeing out the last year of the century in great style,'' said Congleton in Bloom vice-chairman Margaret Williamson.

''We believe our initiative will generate considerable civic pride in the town, promote tourism and stimulate the local economy.''

A minimum of £4,500 is needed to cover the cost of a range of items including compost and fertiliser, water and petrol bills, new baskets and fittings and a new tunnel for growing plants.

The new group aims to enter the town in the 1999 North West in Bloom and Cheshire's best kept village competitions, in which Congleton scored success in 1997.

Congleton Town Council is being asked for a grant of between £600 and £750.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.