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 Stroud - a Britain in Bloom winner two years running. |
Winner in 1998 and 1999 and runner-up in 2000, Stroud has enjoyed a run of success in the the Britain in Bloom (best town in the heart of England section). A lot of hard work from many people together with a small grant from the Council transforms Stroud's streets and shops every year.
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| Orpehus - detail from the Woodchester Roman Mosaic |
In 2000 the theme for Stroud was the Great Orpheus Pavement, the largest and finest Roman mosaic north of the Alps, which lies beneath an old churchyard in Woodchester, Stroud. It was created by around 325AD by local mosaic craftsmen and has been excavated on a number of occasions. The original pavement has been not been seen since it was last uncovered in 1971, when two men were so inspired by it they produced a remarkable reconstruction. Bob and John Woodward took ten years to make the reconstruction, which is extraordinarily accurate and measures 2,400 feet across. This was on display during summer 2000 and was the theme for Stroud in Bloom.
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| Competition judges, S.I.B. organisers and councillors by Sims Clock. |
Bob Harris, Britain in Bloom judge, remarked, "It's a good theme, the mosaic, which follows through around the town, pulling it all together. I've been very impressed."
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| Approach roads to Stroud blaze with colour |
Like many other English people the residents of Stroud enjoy their gardens, but they don't just restrict themselves to their own property. With the encouragement of their local councils, each derelict plot of land has been transformed into an oasis of colour.
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| A Farm Cart feature |
Stroud people have turned 'grot spots' into 'adopt-a-plots' so that if you look around Stroud you will soon come across some little patch of land, once derelict, which a member of the community has adopted and which is now a colourful little garden. It may be at a corner of the road or under the railway bridge, under a town sign or in the middle of the town. Each one reflects the identity of the person who has adopted it and it gives pleasure to passers-by. There are over twenty of these 'adopt-a-plots' in Stroud Town and each one adds to the unique identity of the town.
