Wounded veterans help town to bloom

The Colchester in Bloom team, who help to nurture the town’s green spaces, visited the garden at the Chavasse VC House recovery centre.

The garden was created at the Help for Heroes centre last year to help servicemen and women in their emotional, physical and psychological recovery.

An appeal, supported by the Gazette, saw a neglected area transformed into a beautiful green space, with the award-winning Hope on the Horizon garden at its centre.

Colchester in Bloom secretary Dave Harris said members of the group had visited the garden.

The county and borough councillor said: “The garden was magical. It was really well designed. It’sagreat feeling the garden gives to assist people with regeneration after trauma.”

Help for Heroes helped Colchester’s entries in Anglia in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competitions by participating in community events.

Mr Harris said: “We are hoping we can offer a therapeutic experience for the heroes. It is really nice to work together as a community.”

Colchester in Bloom is on the lookout for keen gardeners to lend a hand to make the town a brighter, better place.

Mr Harris said: “We are very good at managing volunteers.

“We go around Colchester weeding, planting and cleaning litter. We welcome anyone to come join us.”

Colchester has been awarded a gold medal in the Anglia in Bloom competition and selected to represent the region in the prestigious Britain in Bloom contest.

The Colchester in Bloom team are still waiting to see how they have done in this year’s competitions.

Anyone wanting to volunteer should contact Mr Harris by emailing dave_harris3@msn.com 16 Gazette Monday August 17, 2015 gazette-news.co.uk Flower power heroes!

Wounded veterans help town to bloom ý Fit for heroes – the award-winning garden ý Tranquil – the Hope on the Horizon garden at Chavasse VC House recovery centre, in Colchester By SAMANTHA MORDI samantha.mordi@nqe.com Store’s cuppa cheer for cancer chari