KEEN gardeners were today shocked after hearing that the popular Ipswich in Bloom competition had been scrapped. The 2007 event was called off by organisers after funding for the event was put in to doubt.

KEEN gardeners were today shocked after hearing that the popular Ipswich in Bloom competition had been scrapped. The 2007 event was called off by organisers after funding for the event was put in to doubt.

Regular competitor Jack Rust said: “I've been taking part for about five or six years and this year as normal I've been getting my garden ready for the competition.

“When I didn't get my entry form through the post I got a bit worried and now I find it's not going ahead at all this year.”

The Ipswich gardener said the disappointment was made even worse because no-one was informed that the competition was not going ahead this year as usual.

Mr Rust added: “Nobody was aware that it was not going ahead. I know a bloke who put about 30 baskets of Fuchsias out in his garden which has cost him loads of money for nothing.”

The event has attracted large crowds, including school children, when the annual winner is announced, and many people feel that this year the whole community has missed out.

Bryan Taylor, the Chairman of the Ipswich 'In Bloom' Committee, who organise the annual event, said: “We rely on funding from Ipswich Borough Council and this year we understood that we would be getting funding but then we were told that all the funding was under review.

“And although we now have the funding we didn't find out until April so we couldn't get the competition up and running in time for May.

“We had hoped to write to people and say it's not going ahead but there has been a real lack of resources “so we haven't been able to do that at this stage.”

A spokesman for Ipswich council, which has been providing the competition with an annual grant since 1999, said: “We are disappointed to learn that Ipswich in Bloom appears not to be going ahead.

“We support this venture financially and gave the organisers a grant this year as usual.

“We do understand that Ipswich in Bloom might be having a few problems in getting the committee fully functional and we can in no way be held responsible for any cancellation.”

If you are interested in joining the Ipswich 'In Bloom' committee please contact Mr Taylor on 01473 726667 or e-mail bryanwt@btinternet.com.

Have you been affected by this years cancellation of the 'Ipswich In Bloom' competition?

Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk