Blooming great day as The Wharf, Newark’s only entry into the East Midlands in Bloom competition, is under spotlight

Judging has taken place for Newark’s only entry into the East Midlands in Bloom competition.

Covid restrictions put pay to many traditional entries from the town, just as it did last year, but The Wharf pressed ahead so the town had some representation in the competition.

It entered under the It’s Your Neighbourhood category and had had a spruce-up ahead of judging, which took place last Monday.

Ironically, the feature of The Wharf’s entry, was Covid Connections.

It was a reminder of what families and communities have been through since the outbreak of the pandemic and lockdown in March last year.

The Royal British Legion donated remembrance crosses to the project, which were hand-painted in the colours of the rainbow in tribute to the hard work of the NHS and keyworkers by class five, Witham, at the Barnby Road Academy.

They were placed in the rowing boat that is a feature of The Wharf, creating a display and a focus for thought and reflection.

The town council provided plants and hanging baskets, the district council soil and plants, and Newark Castle Rotary Club volunteers for weeding and the donation of a seat.

Nottinghamshire county councillors Sue Saddington and Keith Girling gave financial sponsorship.

Making a pitstop at The Wharf was a quilt fashioned in lockdown by residents of Winchilsea Avenue in Newark, led by Kath Fox.

In the early days of lockdown, the residents set up a whatsapp group that very quickly became a source of support, community care and a way of establishing connections at a time when all were confined to their homes.

Kath said: “Through the group, we were able to help each other, and it was a comfort to know there was always someone willing to run an errand or give advice or simply to have a joke with.

“The idea of the quilt came to me as the second lockdown was announced. Being aware of the mental health benefits of crafting, I decided to establish a community craft group and encourage Winchilsea residents to put needle and thread to fabric and get crafty. Very quickly a small group formed and the number of patches grew.

“A few weekends ago the quilt was finally completed when the crafters were able to get together to put the symbolic final stitches on the binding of the edges. It was the first time that we had been able to sew together.”