Some of the parks and borders around the town are looking good just now I think we'd all agree. Hanging baskets are in abundance too..

(photos from Newbury.net website)

But it must cost a bomb to achieve this look and maintain it. Can such displays REALLY be justified in current times, where every single penny is fought over? Pretty as they are, when it comes to people losing their jobs because of cut backs then I would much rather that these luxuries were cut rather than jobs even if the town becomes slightly duller.

Can they also be justified when water is such a precious commodity and these beds get a daily drenching? Time these displays were sent to the compost heap and the money spent on a couple of cactii...

(or am I just jealous because I struggle to achieve this look in my cabbage patch garden.... and we're water metered so I'm frugal with the watering can)

You do have a point, but as cynical as I am, the first thing I thought when I saw these pictures was, "Just wait until Newbury's finest see them...won't look like that after they've added their finishing touch!"

I think they look lovely and worth the money. The are always certain things in life that I feel you should spend that biy extra on. I love walking through the park and seeing how pretty it looks (before its all demolished for the vision anyway). The Vodafone roundabout also looks pretty - i think! I'm sure when i drove up there the other day it was that roundabout I noticed, but there was also a fox there which i was looking at so I can't remember if it's that roundabout or not! Anyway I digress - yes it is worth the money spent and were not exactly going to run out of water are we.....

Now, can they come and do my hanging baskets because mine are dying as i'm useless at keeping flowers alive...? Think i should just stick to me fakers

It will seem to be a little frivalous if the tax payer is footing the bill but we would all be complaining if the effort was not made.
I believe that companies sponsor those displays on the roundabouts.
Iommi is probably right in that they can be targets for vandalism but wouldn't it be great to have those same vandals doing community service to be planting and clearing litter.

I think those are the Town Council's "floral displays". £9.8k for the contractor, £12.3k for the administrator, £9.2k share of the Town Council overheads, and £2.3k sponsorship revenue. Cost to the tax-payer: £29.0k.

Newbury isn't actually entered in Britain in Bloom because the Town Council did so vary badly last time round. One of the problems was there was no community involvement, and that's a big deal with the judges.

So here's an idea: Ask the allotment associations to maintain the beds. They're gardeners right, and I'm sure they'd do it for less than £29k, and that would still go a long way on the allotments. We might even win Britain in Bloom.

Good idea. For doing so many hours, they get their years rent waved. Saves on collection costs too.

Mmm ... dont be so reticent you two. You dont have to be Monty Don to use a watering can. I will expect both of you on parade at 7.00 each morning volunteering.

And as if by magic, an infomercial appeared.

How that is gorgeous. I love flowers.