A NEIGHBOURHOOD has been brightened up as part of the Bracknell in Bloom bid.

The flowerbeds at Harmans Water shops, in The Square, have been re-planted thanks to the Bloom committee, local councillors, shops, businesses and community groups.

Ward councillors Trevor Kensall, Shelagh Pile and Chris Turrell have contributed from their share of Bracknell Forest Council’s Members Initiative Fund to allow the beds to be dug out and re-planted with a beautiful mix of plants.

Local garden designer and Bracknell in Bloom committee member Linsey Evans designed the planting scheme which combines shrubs that are either evergreen, flowering or both with herbaceous perennials chosen for colour and longevity to provide year-round interest.

Gold flowers and foliage have been included to reflect the Growing for Gold theme for this year’s Britain in Bloom 50th anniversary celebrations.

She said: “All the plants have been carefully selected to ensure they are suitable to the location and purpose of the border.

“The herbaceous plants are all highly attractive to bees and other pollinators as well as being decorative. “The scheme blends leaf textures, colours, and different outline forms to provide structure and interest and improve the look of the area.” Volunteers from Boehringer Ingelheim and from Bracknell Forest’s Transition Scheme provided the labour to dig out the old plants and get the beds ready for planting.

Shops in The Square, including Eden bookmakers, Martin’s Newsagents and Fish’n’Chick’n, have helped with the make-over and continue to maintain the area. Allan Moffat, chairman of Bracknell in Bloom and recreational facilities manager at Bracknell Town Council, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who’s been involved in transforming the shopping square. The square is going to be on this year’s three-hour tour the RHS regional and national Britain in Bloom judges are taken on around Bracknell.” “I’m sure the judges will be impressed with the new beds and the partnership work involved in creating them.” Bracknell in Bloom is the town’s entry to the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom campaign.