Stanpit Marsh SSSI and now Silver Gilt award from Britain in Bloom

Well I can hardly believe it! What a sight it must have been,the judges of Britain in Bloom trudging round our wonderful marsh stepping over the puddles,striding over the new bridges quizzically looking over their shoulders looking for at least one hanging basket or the odd bizzie lizzie but only seeing natural flora and fauna which we the natives, take for granted. The grand tour including our visitor centre with all its futuristic features combining with the modest charm of the information displays. Not a manicured lawn in sight, not even a cultivated flower display, just a lovely natural vista with horses heads down against the wind silently grazing or nuzzling their foals.Swans gliding peacefully in the estuary against the dramatic backdrop of Hengistbury Head or the views of the eclectic architecture along Fishermans Bank. Maybe the screech of a gull or the songbirds call helped to set the scene but when it was set it must have stayed with them because they awarded Stanpit Marsh a silver gilt in the parkland's category. What a result! I put it down to Ted Edmunds oak tree and carved post put there in memory of the dear man as well as all the hard work of our dedicated countryside team and the numerous volunteers that warden the place and the green team who do all the ditch work and stuff. I can't wait for next years competition, we will be able to enter the recreation ground resplendent in its new design, a car park and entrance commensurate with the importance of the site and NO BINS. Oh, and eat your heart out Mudeford!