MADAM, Many of your readers will know of the hard work that the members of the Ross-in-Bloom committee undertake every year to ensure that the town has colourful floral displays throughout the year. We also work closely with many other local organisations encouraging and supporting them, to make our lovely town even prettier.

Our committee is mainly composed of over 60s (all female) and some have disabilities, yet despite this our work has been rewarded with many awards culminating with a Gold from the Heart of England judges in 2008. Ross-in-Bloom also received a Highly Commended for working with the community and for the amount of publicity Ross-in-Bloom gives to the town, helping to promote it, so boosting tourism and revenue to local business. This is something which is even more important in the current economic climate.

Many of you will have seen the state of Pigs Alley over the last few weeks. It is often covered in litter and graffiti and, more recently graphic and offensive language has been scrawled all over the walls. We decided that, as no-one else seemed prepared to deal with the problem, we would make this our project for 2009 and applied to the Town Council in October 2008 for funding. We were told that the matter would not be decided until the end of January 2009 but several members of the Council indicated that there would be no problems.

Imagine my severe annoyance to discover that we now have to provide extra information that is not mentioned on the 'Criteria for Grant Applications'. It merely states 'necessary documentation'. Unlike the other towns in the area who ALL receive help and monetary support from their town councils (even in the current financial climate sums of £2,000 plus have been given) Ross-in-Bloom does not receive any such help. We were willing to make over a real eyesore which is surely the responsibility of local authorities, not a group of older ladies.

However, we will not be beaten! We are looking for funding elsewhere so if any of your readers agree with what we are trying to do and could spare a few pounds or are prepared to come and lend a hand to complete the work we would be most grateful.

Margaret Lucas, Chairman Ross-in-Bloom

Swimming Club in waiting