LUDLOW in Bloom, working with other organisations including five schools in the town, is providing a ‘garden’ feeling to the front of Ludlow Library.

This involves the installation of 10 planters complete with shrubs and bulbs for spring colour.

A new silver birch tree has been planted to replaced one that was damaged by vandals. . There will also be two inscribed paving slabs, one for the courtyard garden on each level.

The scheme has been made possible by funding of more than £2,000 from Advantage West Midlands and administered through South Shropshire District Council’s Tourism Development Officer as part of its ‘Better Welcome’ programme.

Ludlow in Bloom has used local suppliers as far as possible. The planters have been made by Adams Planters of Onibury; shrubs and bulbs have been supplied by Homecare of Ludlow; building materials have been supplied by Shropshire Building Supplies; the paving slabs will be provided by W Griffin of Corve Street and the tree was supplied and planted by Florabunda Landscapes. All these businesses have given much help and advice to volunteers.

The upper courtyard (the Library Garden) is now complete. The planters were put in place and students working with help from the South Shropshire Youth Forum Reach Group under the direction of Jo Alker.

Young people from five schools: Ludlow Education Centre, Ludlow C of E Secondary School, Ludlow Infants School, Ludlow Junior School and St Laurence’s Primary School have also helped.

It is intended that the lower courtyard – the Museum Garden – will have planters installed in the next month and the whole project will be complete by the end of March.

Ludlow in Bloom is grateful to Tim King and South Shropshire District Council together with Advantage West Midlands and library, especially the senior librarian Gilliam Mortimer.