Charitable boost to arson-hit group
A CHARITY has come forward to assist a group whose gardening kit was destroyed in a recent arson attack.
The arson attack at the start of July put the town’s bid to win the East Midlands In Bloom competition in jeopardy as it took place days before the judges arrived to view the town and all the efforts of the Harborough In Bloom volunteers.
A polytunnel and a greenhouse which was used by Harborough In Bloom volunteers to prepare the town for the competition was damaged in the fire.
There was also damage to hanging baskets, tools and irreplaceable Olympic Torch-themed plant pots which were made by children
At the time Harborough In Bloom project manager, Chris Etherington said that the cost of repairing the damage was likely to run into thousands of pounds.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue said the fire had been started deliberately.
Less than a month later, a generous donation from Harborough and the Bowdens Charity and an unnamed individual has allowed the group to replace the damaged polytunnel and buy two new wheelbarrows.
Chris said: “We are really grateful to the Market Harborough and the Bowdens Charity for coming to our rescue.
“Without its support, it is unlikely that we could replace the polytunnel in time to prepare for next year’s floral displays.
“We are also grateful to another generous individual who has purchased two new wheelbarrows for us, as the one we had melted in the fire.”
The results of this will be announced on September 12 in Spalding.
Harborough In Bloom volunteers were recently awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Groups.
This will be presented to the volunteers by the County’s Lord Lieutenant, Lady Gretton at a presentation at the Three Swans Hotel in Harborough on August 23.
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Weather for Market Harborough
Saturday 18 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
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Temperature: 8 C to 17 C
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