About Frinton in Bloom
Formed in 1994 Frinton in Bloom is a voluntary community led group of local businesses, residents and local organisations working in partnership with the Town & District Councils. It links in well particularly with the Councils Leisure and Parks departments to form a core working party with strong local Councillor backing.
The key to influencing the Councils and decision makers comes from within its In Bloom criteria encompassing all sections of the community to bring about civic pride. The Britain in Bloom competition in which Anglia in Bloom is one of the 18No Regions/Nations is the largest horticultural competition in Europe fitting nicely into the tourism department for promotional and marketing for the District.
Britain in Bloom ethos reflects the objectives, needs, aspirations and character of the local community making it a safe, clean, pleasant and effective place to live, work and be a visitor attraction.
“Britain in Bloom is the biggest marketing tool any town can have. The way in which it brings together people is of enormous benefit to residents and visitors and its impact should not be underestimated.” David Foster, Co-ordinator of Frinton in Bloom, is enthusiastic in his commitment to the Britain in Bloom campaign, which he sees as instrumental in making improvements to his area.
Frinton first entered Anglia in Bloom in 1994 with the aim of giving the town a ‘natural facelift’. Prompting businessman Stephen Corton’s idea for the unification of the Frinton in Bloom Committee with several other important local action groups: Frinton Chamber of Commerce, Frinton Residents Association, Frinton Horticultural Society and Frinton/Walton Town Council and the Frinton and Walton Heritage Trust. Collectively the group became known as the Frinton Environmental Action Committee (FEAC) and it’s partnership ethos is still thriving today – providing a strong presence in the local community with a rolling programme of beneficial projects.
Our success in the 1994 and 1995 Anglia in Bloom competition provided the impetus to set the ball rolling and we’ve not looked back since. Over time, we’ve replaced trees, painted tree grilles and guards, street furniture and bins, improved landscapes, public garden planting schemes.” The Committees progress has been documented in a book called ‘The Work, Life and Times of FEAC’ in which the many projects undertaken by the Committee are explained.
“Heritage is vital to any town and is a great opportunity to learn about the past as well as keep the cultural heritage alive. The Action Committee’s work really runs through the heart of the community,” says David, who advocates that the Bloom is a valuable way in which to forge close partnerships and strengthen lines of communication at many levels.
People who may not otherwise talk to each other find themselves with a common purpose and together we achieve a great deal. Tendring District Council’s objective is to present a safe, clean and pleasant place in which to be which mirrors our ethos exactly.
There are many knock-on effects of the Bloom campaign and with a view that if people are involved throughout the country on a local level, then there must also be a benefit to the economy on a national level. Britain in Bloom is good for morale, good for business and good for maintaining and improving standards throughout the country.”
Frinton’s distinct features are shown on its Town Sign located at the junction of the famous railway crossing gates. Hold Fast and True along with Enduring Values depicts much of the unique character of this genteel town. The Town’s identity has been defended by business and residents combining against change for the sake of change.
Tree lined Avenues sweep down to the elegant esplanade and from here along the rolling cliffs the magnificent uncommercialised greensward overlooks the beach, which serves to remind us that, in this most civilised of towns, time really does stand still.
A vibrant self-contained shopping Avenue mainly relying on local family businesses free from intrusive street trading welcomes the tourist and visitors.
By the town’s combined efforts to present a clean safe image it has promoted a greater awareness for the self-improvement in all sections of the community. Year round programme of building on sustainable activities such as recycling, currently up from 11% to 18%, greater use of non toxic materials in pest control and composting have substantially benefited the wild life.
Without taking away any of the value of the importance of floral displays the growth in the community factor of self-help generating improvements has become more prominent and complimentary embodying the ethos of working towards a Better Britain in Bloom
Frinton-on-Sea as described in an article in The Independent National newspaper sums up how Frinton is perceived ‘Last outpost of a long forgotten Empire’
A booklet is currently being produced on the Life & Times of F.E.A.C (Frinton Environment Action Committee) 1994 - 2002. A Charity Trust called Frinton Environment Action Committee was established out of Frinton in Bloom 1994 success and this hardworking group continued to enhance and put back features of the town from times past, until 2002 when its programme of works was completed.
WINNERS Best School Project Under 12s Frinton County Primary School with Early Years Garden Team
Runner Up Best School Project Under 18s Tendring Technology College with Green Power Team an electric powered car eco-friendly
FRINTON IN BLOOM 2019
OUR SPONSORS
WHO WE THANK MOST SINCERELY
Community Rail Partnership, Colchester & East Essex Co-operative Society, The Lifehouse, Mr David Foster, Phoenix, Woman’s Institute, Townrow & Sons, Essex County Council, Royal Mail, Tendring District Council, Dream 100 FM, Mrs B Turner, Frinton Chamber of Commerce Astell Crescent Court Ltd,Elect 2000,Nationwide Building Society, Frinton Memorial Club, Shepherd Neame,Greater Anglia Railways, P G Oxley Ltd, Veolia,R L Mann Ltd, Alastair Garland,Barclays Bank, Nomix, Lilleys Bakery, Royal Horticultural Society, Frinton Lawn Tennis Club, Carroll Group, Johnson Builders, Silverton Aggregates, Young’s, Sainsburys, Frinton Residents Association, Ian Allston, Pollendine Motors, Sparling Benham Brough Solicitors ,Saffron Building Society,Café 19 ,Town Council of Frinton & Walton, Churchill Retirement Living.