Brierley Hill in Bloom

Community Campaign Feasibility Study

Author: Dr Suzanne Carter December 2011

Front cover image of Artspace, Brierley Hill 2011

Report researched and written by Dr Suzanne Carter

The Community Collaboration Company

Working with and for communities Email: suzannecarter@mail.com Mobile: 07793 075737 Suzanne Carter 2011 2 |P ag e

Executive Summary
The project concept of brightening up Brierley Hill High Street with hanging baskets, planters, and empty shop units with floral-themed artwork was well-received by those consulted in this feasibility study. Everyone consulted expressed an interest in participating or offered support in some form in order to get the project off the ground. Working towards an in Bloom status was thought to be a good idea by those consulted. Advice was that the campaign should start small and build momentum. Opportunities to expand the scheme in the future have been identified. Mike Garwood, the Chair (and judge) of the Heart of England in Bloom campaign, visited Brierley Hill on 15th December. After a discussion about campaign ideas and levels of community interest, Mike recommended that Brierley Hill should entry in its first year the Heart of England in Bloom competition in the category of Urban Community. Capital costs are essential to get the project started. These are required mainly for the purchase of High Street planters, or the materials to construct planters, and some resource for growers. By working with local colleges, community groups or the Probation Service, and seeking in-kind donations of timber, compost and other materials from local businesses, these capital costs will be much reduced. Two allotment projects and one school from those consulted would be willing to grow flowers to support the planting campaign. BTCV also has an allotment in West Bromwich where flowers could be cultivated. Two schools and a community group from those consulted have expressed an interest in producing artwork to go inside empty shop units along the High Street. Two out of three landlords consulted have agreed to temporary displays in their premises. At the time of writing this report offers of advisory support and volunteer training have come from BTCV1, Dudley CVS and The Black Country Chamber of Commerce. A high level of coordination may be required in the initial set up period, and volunteers are crucial. Volunteer roles can be broken down so they are task-driven, which means that many volunteering opportunities can be created, or equally fewer volunteers will take responsibility for more of the tasks.

BTCV is a national environmental volunteering organisation. There is a Birmingham and Black Country branch.

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Contents

Brierley Hill in Bloom

Community Campaign Feasibility Study
Executive Summary The Brief Background The Vision Consultation Consultation Summaries SWOT Analysis Project Feasibility Entering Heart of England in Bloom Recommendations Year One Set up in Bloom steering committee and start planning! Volunteer recruitment drive Build or purchase of planters Encourage community participation Estimated capital costs Fundraising Public events programme Press, PR and communications strategy Build partnerships to support delivery Register for Heart of England in Bloom Document everything for Portfolio! Measuring impact Timetable Budget Conclusion Appendix A: Contact details of those consulted Appendix B: Judges comments on Urban Community award winners 2011 Appendix C: Heart of England in Bloom marking sheet and judging guidelines Appendix D: How do we get started? Appendix E: Dudley CVS Insurance factsheet Appendix F: Stourbridge College of Art and Design design competition Appendix G: Portfolio guidance 3 5 5 6 7 8 12 13 13 16 16 17 20 20 21 24 25 26 27 27 27 28 28 29 30 31 33 37 46 47 49 51

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The Brief
The purpose of this feasibility study for the Brierley Hill Community Forum (BHCF) is to explore the potential of starting a community campaign that gets the people of Brierley Hill inspired, involved and working together to brighten up Brierley Hill High Street with hanging baskets and planters, and empty shop units with floral-themed artwork. During this study there was consultation with schools, community groups, local businesses, council officers and organisations to assess levels of interest, practical arrangements, workable approaches and fundraising options. This study seeks to understand levels of commitment and key partnerships before any further work on the campaign is undertaken. Recommendations are made for developing the first 12 months of the campaign. This study also investigates the potential of a longer-term strategy to enter the town in the regional Heart of England in Bloom campaign. This study was funded by Dudley MBC, on behalf of Brierley Hill Community Forum.

Background
92% of Brierley Hill residents said they care about the way Brierley Hill looks. 166 residents of Brierley Hill surveyed 2 In 2011 street interviews with 71 residents and visitors to Brierley Hill were conducted as part of the Brierley Hillness community arts and heritage project. A strong message that came from that consultation was that people wanted the High Street to be brightened up with hanging baskets and planters, to make it more attractive and appealing to shoppers.

On the commissioning of this study there were over fifteen empty shop units along Brierley Hill High Street. At least three of these now have temporary tenants confirmed as of 1 December 2011.
2

http://brierleyhillnesstoolkit.wordpress.com/influencing-and-inspiring/survey-work/statistics/ Published 2011. Survey work carried out as part of the Brierley Hillness project.

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Planting and floral displays along the High Street are scarce. There are a few concrete planters at the Chapel Street Estate end of the High Street and at the top of Moor Street, beds in the Civic Hall and shrubs at Level Street junction. These are maintained by Dudley MBC.

Despite planting areas in the Moor Centre, these are not landscaped or currently used for floral displays.

The Vision
The aims of a Brierley Hill in Bloom community campaign are: To create a sustainable approach to brightening up the High Street through new planters and floral displays To add colour to empty shop fronts by curating temporary art displays in shop windows To make the old part of town more appealing to shoppers and encourage new trade To increase civic pride community, schools and local business working together Its OUR High Street! To create exciting volunteering opportunities, pop-up art exhibitions, public events and increase community spirit. To demonstrate that the BHCF actively listens to the recommendations made by local people during consultation in the town. The campaign would be set up as a model that could sustain itself year on year within the available resource of BHCF or/and a voluntary support network.

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Consultation
The following schools, groups, traders, council officers, support organisations, in Bloom advisors and Arts providers were consulted during this feasibility study. (* indicates face to face meetings)
Community Groups Brierley Hill Civic Society* Schools Beccy Fellows, Withymoor Primary School* Local businesses Home Bargains* Council Peter Vangeersdaele * (Highways), DMBC Other Stefan Lewandowski , BTCV* HOEIB David Harcourt, Stourbridge in Bloom Coordinator* Art-related Claire Starmer, Dudley Performing Arts* Steve Field, Public Art Unit Ed Cartwright, Artspace, Dudley*

Cost Cutter*

Stacey Simpson and Nicky Slater, The Brierley Hill Project*

Charmaine Redding, Mount Pleasant Primary School Margaret Berreton, St Marys RC Primary School Pensnett School of Technology

Lloyds TSB*

Committee members, Hawbush Community Gardens* John Fox, (Greenagers Coordinator), Maggie Thompson (Leap Coordinator) and Jenny Worwood (Springboard Coordinator), AgeUK* Community group representatives, The Brierley Hill Town Centre Partnership*

Pentax Developments Ltd* The Flower Fountain*

Andrea Jones (Town Centre Manager), DMBC

Hardip Madahar, Black Country Chamber of Commerce* Eileen Fielding and Melissa Guest, Dudley CVS* Members of Brierley Hill Town Centre Partnership*

Jenny Redfern, Heart of England in Bloom Coordinator Nikki Carr, Town Centre Manager Kings Heath

Keith Shakespeare, DMBC

Coffee Uno*

Alan Radford, DMBC

Mike Garwood HOEiB judge*

David Botwood, Moor Centre Site Manager* BHF Interflora* Woodland Trust Amit Dattani, Groundworks * Vicki Wilkes, Harts Hill Industrial Estate Dennis Hodson, Community Partnership

Elaine Giles and Andy Sylvester, Stourbridge College of Art and Design John Emms Commercial, re: High Street / Pearson Street premises

Sarah Heynes, Savills.com Re: old bowling alley

Shane Birch Bastock, Pentax Developments Ltd*

A contact list of people consulted is provided in Appendix A. 7 |P ag e

Approaches have also been made to other individuals, but no responses had been received at the time of writing this report.
Gail Hickman Glasshouse College, Amblecote Brierley Hill Primary School Hawbush Primary School Childrens Centre Home Start Potential flower growers and construction of planters Involvement in both gardening and artwork 07807 209997 01384 399400 01384 816980 sbridgewood@brierley.dudley.sch.uk Teresa Potter info@brierley.dudley.sch.uk 01384 816930 info@hawbush.dudley.sch.uk

Mrs Potter and Sam Bridgewood Mrs Pell

Involvement in both gardening and artwork Involvement in both gardening and artwork Involvement in both gardening and artwork Kevin looks after planting maintenance in Brierley Hill Training, advice and maybe cultivating some of the flowers for BH planters

Calcyta Waters Doug James

calcyta.walters@actionforchildren.org.uk

doug.james50@gmail.com

Kevin Billingham Mark Lawrence

Green Care Team, Dudley MBC Jasmine Road Gardens, Dudley

01384 813614 kevin.billingham@dudley.gov.uk 01384 816710 mark_lawrence@hotmail.com

Consultation Summaries
This section comprises summaries of discussions with groups and individuals during the consultation. As a sample it provides a useful snap shot of peoples responses to the project concept and offers some initial direction. Each unit may include an expression of interest, offer of support, identified challenges and/or resources required to get started. St Marys Catholic Primary School Teacher Margaret Berreton runs a gardening club with ten children. They meet every two weeks. She was very keen on getting involved. The school already has raised beds and a wildlife garden. Their contribution would be to grow flowers from seed at the school from January, cultivate flowers and then plant them in May. Resource required Compost and Seeds Stourbridge College of Art and Design Andy Sylvester has identified two staff interested in involving students in a design competition to create branding for the Brierley Hill in Bloom campaign. These are Jo Raynor with Extended Diploma Students (year two) and Jason Jones with AS/A2 Graphics students who will run this as an extension activity. Both will start work in January and deadline for competition is 27 January.

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Hawbush Community Gardens I think we could play a part in the project. We have plenty of land to either plant straight onto the floor or construct raised beds. The primary use so far is vegetables and the users are really enjoying this. I will have to speak with current users to see if they want to participate either using the plot they already have, or start a new one. But, better still, Id like this to generate new interest and bring new users to site that have a particular interest in cultivating flowers. Residents that may think looking after an allotment is too labour intensive could find this a great way to ease into outdoor activities. Gary Wright Resources Required Capital costs to purchase small poly tunnels. Support with producing leaflets to recruit local residents. Age UK, Dudley There is a Greenagers project run through AgeUK. They have plots for growing vegetables and 30 or so planters. Potentially they are interested in cultivating some flowers between the vegetables (companion planting) such as marigolds and other plants that help vegetables to grow. They could grow for one or two planters on High Street and also cultivate stock for other community groups or schools to use. In terms of brightening up the high street with artwork in empty shop windows, Age UK are interested in getting involved and could run activities through their existing programmes water colours, photography, digital graphic design and maybe also involve the drama group in raising awareness about the campaign. Resources Required None identified

The Brierley Hill Project They already run a graveyard gardening project at South Street Nicky Slater who leads this would be interested in being one of the volunteers (on behalf of BHP) on a new gardening group. BHP offered to store any tools at their premises. They could provide meeting space for the volunteer gardening group. Nicky Slater also works with the Probation Service, and is liaising with them to explore if they can get involved in construction of planters or clearing wasteland for flower growing allotments. Resources Required None identified Steve Fields, Public Art Unit I am sure local artists would be interested in the shop window idea for floral artworks, although funds for them would be an issue in the current climate.

David Botwood, The Moor Centre As Site Manager for the Moor Centre, David was very keen on the idea that the planting areas at the Moor Centre were looked after as part of the project. There is currently no budget assigned to it or to pay a member of staff to develop this just to keep litter free.

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Westfield, Merry Hill What a fantastic project! ...Im sure I can get Westfield on board and will do some digging (pardon the pun) to find out what or how we can get involved. Paula Wood If, after a few years the town decides to enter in Bloom, Merry Hill would potentially like to join forces. This will provide better integration and linkages between the new town centre. They may also be interested in adopting a High Street planter.

Charmaine Redding, Mount Pleasant Primary School Charmaine runs a school gardening club involving about 14 children. They have a small greenhouse at the school. Her advice is to keep it simple for schools in year one; for children to be involved in planting, and bedding plants provided for them three weeks before they are due to be planted so that the children can look after them first in school. They can look at growing their own plants in the long-term. Resource required Nothing in year one Ed Cartwright, Coordinator of Artspace If we can get empty shop windows then they have 4 giant canvases painted and ready to go, including a woodland theme. They would also paint a floral inspired piece as part of their activity in Netherton. Resources required None Dudley CVS In terms of support for the project, CVS could offer the following: Promoting volunteering opportunities/roles that are created. They have an average of 25-30 people per week who ask to be matched with volunteer opportunities. Support volunteers with Press and PR/Marketing (Melissas specialism) Providing templates for volunteer roles and also list of insurance companies they know of (without recommendation) Becky Pecking at CVS would be the person to contact for advice if you are setting up a small group.

BTCV The idea you have is a very valid project and will hopefully bring some much needed colour to the high street and surrounding areas. Stefan Lewandowski BTCV is interested in supporting the project. They are not in a position (after recently losing 14 members of the team) to take on a role in running the project, but can offer training for volunteers (inc. leadership training, risk assessments, H&S), free tools (which could be stored at the Brierley Hill Project) and advice on setting up community groups. There may be a donation towards training required. If the voluntary gardening group was set up, relevant Public Liability insurance at a reasonable price could be taken up through BTCV. There are many benefits that can be accessed via BTCV. Look at their community network initiative which can offer insurance and a business plan for schemes such as this http://www2.btcv.org.uk/ BTCV also offered to make some video documentaries to help get more interest in the first year. They have also offered access to their minibus.

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The following High Street shops were included in the consultation:

Brierley Hill Civic Society The group were very supportive of idea, but suggested the need to rethink scale; start small and build up to in Bloom. They identified challenges to the project, which included:

Lloyds TSB bank* Coffee Uno Costcutter BHF Interflora The Flower Fountain HomeBargains*
*Their policy is not to support any local initiatives financially, but invited us to write to their central offices to request support.

The shared message from local traders is that, business as it is, they are not interested in adopting or sponsoring a planter. All shops did offer water for the gardening club to use. Some might have their own hanging baskets. Pentax Development Ltd expressed interest in adopting a planter, helping with maintenance and possibly supporting a local group or school.

The importance of taking in plants at night to prevent vandalism and theft Temporary exhibits in shop windows must be on the inside Fast food traders business mostly conducted at night so they probably will not be interested in the exhibits Traders will need to be convinced that this will improve business There needs to be a motivator i.e. an in-house hanging basket competition for local residents.

Withymoor Primary School Early Years teacher Beccy Fellows is keen for the school to get involved both in gardening and artwork as part of their contribution to community cohesion. They have strong links with Lakeside Church and are setting up a school gardening club in the New Year, working with their volunteers. Definite interest in growing flowers for a school planter. Reception class starts a topic on plants and growing in February, so this links in well. As Arts Coordinator for the school, Beccy was very excited about prospect of displaying floral themed artwork in empty shops. She has provisionally booked some display space for w/c 6th February which leaves a realistic amount of time for artwork to be created. She hopes to involve the whole school. Resource required Should have enough art stock needs to talk to other teachers about what they might want to do.

Black Country Chamber of Commerce Hardip Madahar, Membership Advisor for Dudley, suggested he could get involved and help with the fundraising. He thought this could be through: Providing a list of businesses who are members of the chamber - to tap up for sponsorship Publicity in quarterly magazine about the project but this would need to be through a community group member who has charitable status like BTCV Add links from Chamber of Commerce website to an in Bloom web presence Action to email Hardip a brief about the project and he will email to the BCCOC board members for expressions of interest.

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SWOT analysis of potential project

Below is a SWOT analysis, based on comments and suggestions of those consulted, and observations on levels of interest and support.
Strengths Interest and enthusiasm shown by everyone involved in the consultation (schools, stakeholders, community groups) and participants ready to go! Art College is running a design competition for students to design the branding/logo/poster for the scheme. This will be ready end of January. Support offered by BTCV advisory and training. Two allotment groups already prepared to cultivate bedding plants. Three schools already interested in taking part. BTCV may be able to work with the Probation Service to create more allotment space in BH through Foundation Learning Programme. Support offered from Dudley CVS in volunteer recruitment and setting up a community group. Brierley Hill Blog set up to use for campaign. Moor Centre has offered their planting areas as they have no budget to develop or maintain them. Can borrow tools from BTCV and store these at The Brierley Hill Project. Hawbush Community Gardens (and potentially the Probation Service or Glasshouse College) will be able to build wooden planters at fraction of cost of off the shelf planters. Two landlords have already confirmed we can use their premises for artwork whilst standing empty. Initiative is supported by Council who will continue to provide guidance. Threats Allotments are vulnerable to vandalism. Planters being vandalised. Plants stolen. Not enough volunteers or skills needed. Not enough resource to lead within BHCF. Traders may not see the benefit of the campaign and not get involved. Funding is scarce will fundraising be successful? Not having a gardening team to water and ensure maintenance. Weaknesses Lack of interest in sponsorship from High Street traders (although they have offered to give water and some will hang out baskets). Street lamps are structurally not strong enough to hold hanging baskets along the High Street so the floral displays will be in planters which are more open to vandalism. Schools are fairly difficult to engage within a short time scale. Need a lead-in time for recruiting schools (3 shown interest already). Up front capital costs needed funding not yet identified. There are lots of fast food outlets so evening traders may not be interested in getting involved. Timescale seed planting needs to start Jan/Feb for bedding plants to be ready for planters in May. Volunteers need recruiting from January. Hawbush Community Gardens suffered vandalism and have no poly tunnel to use. The project will need to identify capital costs to purchase another. Opportunities Area Committee meet in February. Scheme can tie in with Heart of England in Bloom HOEIB judge recommends entering in first year in Urban Community category. Campaign will grow as momentum builds. Some measures should be put in place to measure impact as a response of the in Bloom effort as part of a towns regeneration (i.e. interviews with traders and shoppers before planters in parts of High Street, schools, community groups. Follow up interviews can take place in July/August and then one-two years later). Development opportunities identified such as creating small wildlife garden on wasteland (Moor Street), and allotment space near Hickman Rd, by The Delph. Interest expressed by Westfield to include Merry Hill in coordinated in Bloom entry in the future.

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Project Feasibiity
The strengths which have been identified demonstrate that it would be feasible to start a smallscale campaign early 2012. This will involve immediate confirmation of the project starting to participating growers. Artwork is already available to start the empty shop window transformation. Branding and marketing posters are also being produced in January. There are many opportunities for expanding the programme in future years. The main weakness is around timescale but as this study has identified not only interest, but individuals, schools and groups who are ready to get involved straight away, it is feasible to begin a campaign early 2012 whilst fundraising for capital and recruiting volunteers. Worst case scenario if the project does not secure funding to proceed with purchase/construction of planters is there are surplus flowers. Artwork created can still be displayed in confirmed available empty shop windows. Identified threats are vandalism and theft, funding and volunteers, but until the project begins there is no way of knowing how real or perceived these threats are. Schools will be able to participate to varying degrees during the first year. Withymoor and St Marys, for example, would be keen to grow their own flowers for a planter. Mount Pleasant would prefer to receive flower plugs in school three weeks before they are due to be planted for the children to look after, and then plant themselves. Community growing projects (AgeUK and Hawbush Community Gardens) would be happy to be involved both growing for their own planter, and providing a stock of bedding plants to be used by other community groups or schools who do not have the resource to be growers themselves. Community groups have expressed interest in linking their arts and craft activities with the theme of the campaign. Local traders would be happy to supply water for the planters along the High Street. A couple of local businesses have expressed an interest in adopting a planter and/or support a school. BTCV, Dudley CVS and The Moor Centre and have offered support in developing aspects of the project in year one.

Entering Heart of England in Bloom

While the focus of the community campaign would be in the first instance to brighten up Brierley Hill High Street, it is suggested that this is linked in with the regional Heart of England in Bloom competition. This would be an excellent way to gain recognition for the local campaign and raise the profile of the town. Both BHCFs in Bloom proposal and Heart of England in Bloom share a common set of aims3: o Creating a sense of community through improvement of public spaces and positive interaction between community members o An increase in civic pride and sense of community empowerment by engaging people in the improvement of their own area
3

Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom, Information Pack

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o Safer environments for the enjoyment of local people o Long term improvement for the environment by addressing issues such as sustainability, resource management, conservation, litter, graffiti etc... o Reduction in anti-social behaviour o Cleaner and greener surroundings o Positive effect on the local economy such as increased commercial enterprise and increased tourism o Regeneration of run down and/or disadvantaged areas. Advice offered by a few individuals consulted in this study is to start Mike Garwood, Chair of HOEIB small and build up year on year. For example, only putting planters in half of the High Street in the first year (Peter Vangeersdaele, DMBC), starting small and build up to in Bloom (members of Civic Society) and working towards an in Bloom entry in a three to five years time (Rupert Dugdale, DMBC). Stourbridge in Bloom has a very successful Gold award entry into the Heart of England in Bloom. They were awarded a silver in their first year of entry (which was year one of their project to flower up the town!). The success of this scheme in Stourbridge appears to be a strong and dynamic leadership and hard work by a few people, capital costs through the Area Committee and ongoing support from Dudley MBC. David Harcourt, the Stourbridge in Bloom Coordinator advises that it important to consider a longterm strategy and work with the judging criteria given by the RHS from the beginning even if Brierley Hill is not planning to enter a competition for a few years. He stresses the importance of building a vision the Royal Horticultural Society likes to see progression. Mike Garwood, Chair (and judge) of the Heart of England in Bloom campaign visited Brierley Hill on 15th December to talk through ideas for a Brierley Hill in Bloom entry. Initially discussion was around whether Brierley Hill would be ready to take part in the in Bloom campaign and at which level it should enter Its your Neighbourhood or i n Bloom.

Images taken from the Heart of England in Bloom website

The different campaigns and their relationship to each other are summarised below.

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Levels of Entry

Its your Neighbourhood (national, run by the RHS). Core Pillars are:

Community Participation (working towards inclusion, making a difference, involving local people) Progress Environmental Responsibility (addressing fly-tipping, litter, graffiti, recycling, conservation...) Gardening Achievement (creativity, maintenance, management, enhancing areas through gardening).

Start Core Pillars are:

Heart of England in Bloom (regional, run by volunteers)

Entries to this campaign are assessed rather than judged. Designed for small campaigns could be as little as two neighbours gardens. Awarded a level of recognition Establishing, Improving, Developing, Thriving, Outstanding. Opportunity to work with an HOEIB judge/mentor in the first year.

Community Participation (development and sustainability, press activity and working with community groups and schools, year round involvement, business support) Environmental Responsibility (conservation and biodiversity wildlife, natural habitats, resource management, development of local heritage or identity, management of vacant plots, art in the landscape, management of street furniture) Horticultural Achievement (design and presentation, cultivation of plants, residential and community gardening (church grounds, schools etc...), retail areas, open public spaces).

Categories are based on the size of the electoral role villages, towns, cities, costal and urban*. *An urban community must be an identifiable community within a large conurbation (electoral roll 0-25,000). It must have its own sense of identity and have its own Bloom group. An urban community may not have its own Council, or be able to stand alone, but it will have its own sense of place. Examples of positive points highlighted by In Bloom judges for some Urban Community award winners are in Appendix B.

Start

Britain in Bloom (national run by the RHS) Core Pillars are the same as regional. You have to be invited to take part in this national scheme. It will be generally be Gold award winners of the regional i n Bloom entries who are invited to participate.

Based on the consultation work carried out in this study and his initial assessment of the area (High Street and conservation area) Mike recommended that Brierley Hill should enter the i n 15 | P a g e

Bloom campaign, in the category of Urban Community, rather than start with Its your Neighbourhood campaign. He offered the following reasons: Its your Neighbourhood campaign is too small for the scope of the campaign that Brierley Hill could deliver (based on plans outlined in this study). Brierley Hill in Bloom already has got offers of support and interest to participate from community groups, schools, local organisations, local traders and landlords. In year one you can include evidence of all the allotments and school gardening clubs, for example, as part of your entry (portfolio) which means schools which already do growing projects can contribute to the scheme without any extra resource. St Michaels Church and Marsh Park offer important areas to explore wildlife and biodiversity. Its not all about actual flowers! Community participation through brightening up the high street through artwork and environmental improvements such as a reduction in litter and graffiti and an increase in recycling are also important. It doesnt have to all be done in year one! Starting with the high street in year one (and graveyard at St Michaels and Marsh Park) you would then look to work outwards from the High Street to include larger sections of the town. Even if you only get a certificate of achievement in your first year it is something for the town to work towards. The judges will give feedback and suggestions about how you might achieve higher awards in the future.

Documentation, including marking sheets and Heart of England in Bloom guidance, is provided in Appendix C. When reading through the judging criteria it is worth noting that they only judge the entry on what you show them. Not all the examples they give in the marking sheets will be relevant. There is a seminar being held for in Bloom organisers in March 2012. An invitation will be sent to BHCF.

Recommendations Year One

Based on the consultation carried out for this feasibility study, the following recommendations can be made for 2012. An outline timetable for activity to begin in January 2012 for seven months is provided. These recommendations should be considered in relation to the available capacity and resource of the BHCF, funding available and volunteers recruited as part of the campaign. 1. Set up in Bloom steering committee and start planning! Agree roles and responsibilities and priorities for the campaign. You will probably want up to 10 people on a steering committee. These might include:

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Campaign Coordinator (Chair?) Secretary Treasurer Green Care Team, and/or manager of street furniture (DMBC) Gardening sub group chair* Artwork sub group chair* Volunteer Coordinator* Press & PR, campaign communications coordinator* Fundraising coordinator*

* These last coordinator roles are task-driven rather than actual people at this stage see the volunteer tasks/roles descriptions in the following section. The RHS provide a 5 step guide to getting started. See Appendix D. Think long term it doesnt all have to be done in the first year! What are the pr iorities? Based on the consultation the following things we realistically know can be achieved in the first year (with capital costs for planters and some donations of planting and associated materials). Re-landscaping of Moor Centre planting areas 3 shop window displays Work with 3 schools Work with 4 community groups Work with two allotment groups Floral displays for half Brierley Hill High Street = 20 planters and barrier boxes Gardening club to maintain planters

Some opportunities can also be developed and led by BTCV. Stefan from BTCV talked about the Foundation Learning Programme they will be doing and want to push in the Black Country through Probation Dudley. They may be able to look at a potential clearing projects on wasteland areas - BTCV would lead this work. There are two areas of waste land owned by DMBC which could be used by Brierley Hill communities as allotment space for flower growing or to create wildlife gardens: 1) Land (nr. Hickman road) by the Delph 2) Land on corner Moor Street/ Albion Street At this stage no approaches have been made to Dudley MBC in relation to this. Contacts would be 1) cllr.karen.jordan@dudley.gov.uk 2) cllr.rachel.harris@dudley.gov.uk 2. Volunteer recruitment drive Below is a mixture of tasks and volunteer roles that might be needed. As you will see there are potentially lots of volunteering opportunities if broken down into small task roles. Some volunteers may be able to take on a few of the tasks depending on skills and capacity. Some roles are larger than others. For example one person could feasibly take on the whole Artwork sub group.

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I have used the term coordinator as this deno tes an element of responsibility. There may be other volunteers supporting any particular task. Recruiting for an interesting variety of roles will encourage a more varied group of volunteers! While there potentially could be lots of volunteers in the campaign, there will also need to be a steering committee and a campaign coordinator. A proposed structure follows the task/role descriptions below. Volunteer Task/Role Descriptions - GARDENING Volunteer gardening club coordinator Responsible for coordinating the maintenance strategy and rotas; managing gardening club volunteers, liaising with local high street traders for using water, H&S, looking after tools, arranging meetings for gardening club volunteers, liaising with Council green care team. Schools gardening coordinator To motivate and recruit schools to adopt a planter either as growers/planters or planting flowers contributed by a grower. The school can take ownership over its own design and colour scheme this will not affect judging. To coordinate school planting in May and September. Community group gardening coordinator To motivate and recruit established community groups to adopt a planter either as growers/planters or planting flowers contributed by a grower. To work with allotment growers to produce flowers. To coordinate group planting in May and September. High Street traders coordinator Motivating traders to display their own hanging baskets, or posters and report vandalism. Environmental improvements coordinator To liaise and work with the Council about recycling, litter picking, graffiti, anti-social behaviour strategies and improvements in Brierley Hill High Street. Explore opportunities for families to work on wildlife and biodiversity projects on St Michaels and Marsh Par k. Build & installation of planters coordinator To arrange purchase or oversee the design and building of planters. This may involve liaising with the Probation Service, Glasshouse College, Hawbush Community Gardens who may be able to build them, and local business suppliers who are willing to donate some materials. Also liaising with council about positioning, and arranging for installation. To liaise closely with fundraising, schools, community, press & PR and volunteer gardening club coordinator and put together a timetable for actual flower planting. Gardening club volunteers A team of volunteers to maintain planters and floral displays (watering, dead-heading). To assist in planting in May and September at Moor Centre and planters. To advise on planting timetables and floral design where necessary. Events coordinator To organise a series of small gardening themed events in The Moor Centre (see suggested events programme in section 7). This may involve setting up small events with The Wildlife Trust exploring biodiversity in graveyards. To involve local residents and shoppers in BH in the campaign. To liaise with council and Moor Centre management as appropriate. 18 | P a g e

Volunteer Task/Role Descriptions - DEVELOPMENT Campaign coordinator A project management role to oversee the Brierley Hill in Bloom campaign. To register and liaise with Heart of England in Bloom. To be named contact and spokesperson. To support other coordinators. To set up partnerships with agencies and organisations that can support the in Bloom campaign, for example working with The Wildlife Trust to deliver biodiversity workshops with families and schools in church graveyards. Fundraising coordinator To fundraise for capital and in-kind costs from business, area committee and charitable trusts. To encourage businesses to adopt a planter and be matched with a school or community group. Produce plaques to go on planters. Press, PR, marketing and campaign communications coordinator On-going promotion of project and events through newspapers, radio, poster and leaflet campaigns and Brierley Hill Blog. Facebook and Twitter can be used to engage with a younger audience. Liaison with School of Art and Design over further design work. Volunteer coordinator To work with Dudley CVS on a recruitment drive for volunteers; to include interviewing, organising training with BTCV, reward and recognition. To liaise with banks such as the HSBC and Barclays to release volunteers on planting projects. Campaign documenter (Portfolio for in Bloom entry) To lead on gathering photographic evidence and quantitative and qualitative evaluation from each aspect of community participation and successes, press clippings etc... To compile a 22 page portfolio to present to in Bloom judges. Volunteer Task/Role Descriptions - ARTWORK Schools artwork coordinator To motivate and recruit schools to produce floral-themed artwork to fill empty shop windows, or artwork for display at other venues (including pop up guerrilla art initiatives). To work with programmer and display curator. Community group artwork coordinator To motivate and recruit community groups or local art groups to produce floral-themed artwork to fill empty shop windows, or artwork for display at other venues (including pop up guerrilla art initiatives). To work with programmer and display curator. Programmer and display curator To programme artwork into empty shops. Liaise with landlords for access. To work with schools and community artwork coordinators, local artists and Artspace Dudley and make sure that work is programmed and fits space available. To curate displays in empty shops. Events Coordinator To organise a few floral art-themed events in Moor Centre (see suggested events programme in section 7). This may involve partnership working with Adult and Community Learning Service at DMBC and Artspace.

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Example volunteering structure for campaign

The chart below shows relationships between volunteers and a possible reporting structure. Please note at this stage that roles and tasks are presented, rather than people. Being realistic, there are likely to be a smaller group of volunteers, carrying out multiple tasks. Brierley Hill in Bloom STEERING COMMITTEE Campaign Coordinator (Chair?) Secretary Treasurer Gardening sub group chair Artwork sub group chair Green Care Team (DMBC) Volunteer coordinator Press & PR, campaign communications coordinator Fundraising coordinator Campaign Coordinator Sub group chair ARTWORK Sub group Schools artwork coordinator Community group artwork coordinator Programmer and display curator Art events coordinator

Sub group chair GARDENING Sub group

Schools gardening coordinator Community group gardening coordinator High Street traders coordinator Build & installation of planters coordinator Gardening related events coordinator Gardening team coordinator Environmental improvement coordinator

Team of gardening volunteers Participating community groups reps Participating schools reps Participating business sponsors Participating high street traders (supplying water) Participating local artists Participating landlords/shop owners

Volunteers may also be sourced through partnership working with banks such as the HSBC and Barclays who release teams of staff on projects to support local community initatives. A budget to cover volunteer travel expenses and in some cases refreshments is not essential but seen as best pratice. T-shirts or sweatshirts with logo would also be a nice way of recognising the gardening team It would be worth considering setting a budget for this.

3. Build or purchase planters 20 | P a g e

Dont be over ambitious in year one. Perhaps aim to have planters half the length of Brierley Hill High Street from Level/Bank Street Junction to five ways junction (Moor Centre), and including planting areas in The Moor Centre. For half the high street 20 planters (some fixed floor planters, others hanging on junction barriers) would be a realistic amount. If constructing rather than purchasing these have to be built, stained and planted by May 2012. If there is a really positive impact more people will want to be involved in developing the other side of the High Street and adopt their own planter in following years. A greater number and diversity of businesses may also want to be involved in sponsorship opportunities. Suggested location of planters in year one: 2 planters on 2 sets of railings on Level Street junction (both sides of road) and planters at each side of road (to create a gateway into the High Street) 8 fixed planters along High Street up to Moor Centre. This equates to 4 on either side of road 2 planters on 4 sets of railings at Moor Street junction (8 in total) Development of planting areas in Moor Centre.

Contact needs to be made with Mike Bosworth Asset Manager, DMBC for the permission to put planters on public highway when a plan is agreed. Peter Vangeersdaele (Highways, DMBC) advised on safe and best locations for planters along the High Street: Planters on barriers should leave at least a 25cm gap before the road No planters allowed on railings where there are white lines on the road Height of planters needs to be so they can be seen over the railings from the road If there are litter bins, this is a good indication of public highway and not privately-owned land. Planters near litter bins may be a good location as people are more likely to put rubbish in bins and not planters if they are visible Only put planters on two of the railings on each side of the road at junctions Concentrate on making maximum impact at every location (i.e. also put a planter where you have barrier baskets. 4. Encourage community participation Invite Brierley Hill schools, community groups and local businesses to participate. This could involve; adopting and planting a planter growing flowers sponsoring a school/groups planter creating artwork exploring biodiversity and wildlife attending an event, planting some bulbs/sow some seeds promoting opportunities to be a volunteer.

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Level of involvement needs to be agreed on an individual basis if adopting a planter (i.e. planting their own, planting of pre-grown stock etc...) One of the overarching aims of the Brierley Hill in Bloom campaign is to get the community to work together; to give a little and together achieve a lot. Opportunities for community participants to meet, network and inspire each other will help build a sense of community. A workshop for participants (schools, community groups, potential sponsors, local businesses and individuals interested in volunteering) to share ideas and find out more about the in Bloom campaign could be programmed early into the project (February). A public events programme would further enhance community participation. Section 7 has examples of events that could be run. 5. Estimated capital costs The following estimated costs of planters are based on the assumption that there would be 12 barrier baskets (on railings) and 8 fixed planters on half the High Street (planters measuring 1.2m H x 1m W x 1m L) this would be for half the High Street in year one. Below is a comparison of the prices of planters from Plantscape, a national supplier (using list price guide) and homemade (working perhaps with the Probation Service, Glasshouse College or Hawbush Community Gardens on construction) and purchasing materials from timber and gardening suppliers. Planting costs are for compost and a couple of shrub features (bedding plants to be grown on community allotments). NB. Wooden decking and wooden batons were priced at timber merchants to produce this estimate. Wood stain and liner are also estimated in the below prices. Detailed costing and budgeting would need to be done, working with those designing the planters and barrier baskets. Safety is important so it is advisable to design barrier baskets which utilise available brackets. Some companies may offer wood, compost and plants as in-kind sponsorship and this would of course reduce the cost dramatically. Estimated unit cost Wooden planters made from decking Wooden barrier baskets made from decking Compost and planting for barrier baskets Compost and planting for wooden planters 120 max (including liner) excluding bracket 70 Year one 25 each Year one 80 each Estimated unit cost purchased from Plantscape 425 (ex VAT) may exclude bracket 120 (these are robust plastic) Year one 25 each Year one 80 each

Price comparison based on 8 x planters and 12 barrier baskets Home made 1140 Off the shelf (inc VAT) 1740

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8 x Wooden planters, compost and shrub planting

1600

4640

2740

6380

Plaques acknowledging the contribution of school/group/sponsors will be important. Plantscape plaques, designed to go on their planters cost 60 each. This may not include the wording/logos however. A contingency budget to replace planters and planting which may be stolen or vandalised is recommended. Below are some examples of different types of planters and prices for information.

Plantscape Manchester planters 354 (ex. VAT)

Plantscape PWP Softwood Square Wooden Planter 1000 square 39 inch 425.00 (ex VAT)

Plantscape Planter Seat (with seat) 1250 long 49 inch 369.00 (ex VAT)

Plantscape Pedal Park Planter 1250 long 49 inch 449.00

Plantscape Barrier Basket 1250 long 49 inch 104.95 Barrier Basket Insert 14.95

David Harcourt, coordinator of Stourbridge in Bloom, advises that if building planters these will need to be very robust and lined with strong plastic. They will also need re-staining every couple of years, so build this cost into maintenance routines. Another thing that needs to be considered is the street furniture colour scheme and maintenance, so the effort is consistent. You will need to consult with council maintenance teams if going ahead with an in Bloom scheme. It would be useful to invite the Council officer responsible for street furniture/or green care team to sit on the steering committee. 23 | P a g e

Other capital costs indentified in the consultation were for a new poly tunnel for Hawbush Community Gardens. They will not be able to contribute to the campaign as growers of stock without this resource. Estimated cost: 350. Insurance You may want to consider taking out some kind of insurance. Dudley CVS have a fact sheet which looks at the different types you may consider. This is provided in Appendix E. For this project these might be: Public Liability Insurance Event Insurance Trustee Indemnity Insurance Sounds like a really good idea and one we would be happy to help support in any way we can. Once your study is complete please get in touch with us again and we will look to support you in the best way possible. Dennis Hodson Director Dudley Community Partnership support team

BTCV is able to offer Community Network Members (who are voluntary not for profit organisations) access to competitive insurance through an insurance scheme underwritten by Zurich Municipal. BTCV is Authorised and regulated by the FSA to act as intermediaries in the sale of insurance to Community Network Groups. Insurance cover starts from 100 per annum. For a summary of the insurance and the type of groups they can cover visit http://www2.btcv.org.uk/ For comparison, Hawbush Community Gardens also have public and employers liability Insurance through Ann McCreanney, Finance ReDirect Limited Tel: 01234 358535. 6. Fundraising The majority of local traders spoken to during this consultation were not able to provide any financial sponsorship to Brierley Hill in Bloom, nor were interested in adopting a planter at this stage. Approach to business sponsors Hardip Madahar suggested contacting local businessmen such as Tony Whitiker, owner of Delph Trading Estate, and approaching High street shops such as Poundland, Iceland, Asda shops with a national remit. Approach to Area Committee The next Brierley Hill Area Committee is in February 2012. Peter Vangeersdaele (Highways), who has been very supportive of the in Bloom concept in Brierley Hill, sits on this area committee. Three potential grant schemes have also been identified in an initial scoping exercise: 24 | P a g e Pentax Development Limited Shane Birch Bastock suggested that we should target larger local businesses that do not have a presence in the High Street. For example, Higgs & Sons recently relocated but would benefit from still having a presence on the High Street as they had done for the past 100 years. There may be others businesses based at the Waterfront who are interested. He said that high street traders may offer to help maintain the planters and water them. Shane has offered to email a list of the traders who used to go to the Traders Association to gain interest.

Grants between 100-1000 Improving places communities share Improving natural environments Tackling issues head on and restoring a sense of pride www.itsyourcommunity.co.uk Safer Environment Fund Lasting and positive impact on community environment 2500 maximum www.eon-uk.com/distribution/ (Jason Guest) saferenvironmentfund.aspx B&Q 50-500 of materials from B&Q Long term benefit Community involvement Supported through local stores 7. Public events programme In order to encourage public participation, raise awareness about the campaign and recruit volunteers, a series of public half day/low-cost events on Saturdays could be scheduled for the Moor Centre. Here are some suggestions. 2012 April/May planting bedding plants in Moor Centre planting areas o This event could seek sponsorship from garden centres for compost, bedding plants. o Tools supplied by BTCV. o Volunteers needed to run event. 2012 June/July make and take paper plate flowers. o This event would need paper plates (50 for 1 from Poundland!) and arts and crafts materials. o Could be done in the market, library or open air in Moor Centre (depending on the weather). o Volunteers needed to run events 8th September 2012 Heritage Open Days. o Register with the Heritage Open Days annual event to maximise marketing. o Organise history walks around the High Street Conservation Area, St Michaels, Nine Locks and ask people to plant some bulbs as part of the experience. o Volunteers needed to run event o Local History expert (i.e. Pete Boland Dudley MBC, Steven Masters, Ned Williams?) 2012 Late September/ early October Blub planting event in Moor Centre planting areas and The Big Draw! o Event to plant bulbs in Moor Centre planters, including filling the pit under the Moor Centre clock with soil and planting spring bulbs. o This event could seek sponsorship from garden centres for compost and bulbs. o Tools supplied by BTCV. 25 | P a g e

o Register with The Big Draw campaign to maximise publicity. The activity/theme would be to cover every paving slab in the Moor Centre with chalk flowers. o Chalks, brooms and water supply required. o Volunteers needed to run events. 2013 January/February seed planting event in The Moor Centre People can plant seeds in trays to take away and to grow on, and then bring back in May when new planters are ready to go or for growers to use on their allotments all about encouraging local people to be a part of initiative and recruiting more volunteers. o This event could seek sponsorship from garden centres for trays, flower seeds and compost. o Tools supplied by BTCV. o Volunteers needed to run event. Although these events would almost run at cost neutral if bulbs, compost and other plants were donated, a small budget to cover arts and crafts materials and perhaps some balloons would be recommended. There should be no artist fees with this kind of activity. 8. Press, PR and communication strategy It is essential that the campaign creates an impact. It is more likely to be sustainable if the community are backing it so they need to know that it is community, rather than councilled. Media partnerships with local radio and newspapers are important to raise profile, recruit volunteers and encourage wider participation in in Bloom projects through art and environmental awareness. o It was suggested that promotion could be done through Paul Collins show on Bridge Radio called The Black Country Matters show (Sunday 2-5pm) o Marketing support strategy advice offered by Melissa Guest from Dudley CVS o Brierley Hill Blog is already set up with followers this should be utilised. o Branding for the campaign (including logo and poster template) will be produced as part of a design competition being managed by Stourbridge College of Art and Design. A design brief was supplied to the college by Suzanne Carter in December 2011 - Appendix F. o Suggest creating ad-hoc press activity through installation of unusual temporary pop-up art and craft exhibitions (with floral theme) to get people talking about the area and brightening peoples day! This idea is based on the Guerrilla art work that has sprung up in UK (i.e. a bus stop covered in knitting suddenly appearing one day see image to right). Artspace or a school (for example) could create paper carnation flowers (using serviette, chicken wire and floristry tape) and these could be artistically wound around barriers at a junction, or a knitted flowery jacket could be created to cover traffic light boxes in the High Street. The idea is for these pieces of artwork to spring up overnight, and a tip

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off issued to the local press. Peter Vangeersdaele (Highways, DMBC) confirmed the council would have no objections to this kind of activity as long as they did not damage property or cause a hazard. o Design for campaign branding, logo and a poster template will be supplied through a design competition with students. o Print budget: 700-800.

9. Build partnerships to support delivery There have been offers of support from BTCV, Dudley CVS, Age UK Greenagers, Hawbush Community Gardens, and Artspace Dudley. It is also worth looking for support from the following organisations: o Adult and Community Learning Service, DMCB o Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust o Glasshouse College Building partnerships with organisations that have both expertise and capacity building agendas will maximise the potential of the campaign and you also get extra marks in the in Bloom campaign for working in partnership.

10. Register for Heart of England in Bloom o The public recognise the brand of in Bloom and will understand the aims of the campaign. Everyone consulted as part of this study had heard of Stourbridge in Bloom or another in Bloom initiative. Entering the campaign enables Brierley Hill to use this branding. o Contact Jenny Redfern to request application form for the Heart of England in Bloom campaign 2012. o You can request a day to be judged in July, or be given a date. o In the category of Urban Community you get an audience of 2 hours with the judges, plus 15 mins for press and 15 mins to give a presentation. o Entry fee is 50. 11. Document EVERYTHING towards an in Bloom portfolio (part of judging) A portfolio is an important part of an in Bloom entry as it documents all -year-round achievements of the campaign and showcases the community participation, fundraising events, educational programmes, consultation, artwork, events etc... Appendix G provides details about the portfolio.

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12. Measuring Impact An opportunity to gather evidence to demonstrate the long-term impact of the campaign can only happen in year one! Measuring the longitudinal impact of Brierley Hill in Bloom is important for the wider regeneration of the area and useful evidence to support future fundraising initiatives for i n Bloom. Baseline information should be gathered in January/Feb 2012 from high street traders, schools, community groups and shoppers on their perception and experience of the area, general sense of wellbeing and being part of a community. Same or similar people should be asked again after judging day in July and again in January 2013 one year on to see if the campaign has had any impact.

Proposed Timetable
The steering committee will decide on their priorities for year one. The proposed seven month timetable below is based on assumptions that the campaign will reflect the content and recommendations made in this study and will, of course, be subject to change. January 2012 Steering group formation for development phase Fundraising strategy Businesses and/or Area Committee/in-kind sponsorship/donations from garden centres/timber yards Low-level gardening club volunteer recruitment drive Liaison with growers for planting Liaison with schools and groups who have already expressed interest in being involved Liaison with Stourbridge College re: branding design competition and set judging criteria for BHCF Confirmation of empty shop units/displays Marketing to schools and community groups and businesses with invitation to adopt planters, create artwork, get involved. Invitation to a workshop to learn more about the project and who people can get involved scheduled for February. Liaison with local press partnership / PR strategy Liaison with local artists/adult and community services/Artspace Get access to shop unit and add in Artspace mural press and PR activity. Fundraising - Area Committee meeting - optional Steering group meeting Register with In Heart of England in Bloom Run in Bloom workshop for all interested people year one. On-going liaison with schools and community groups Volunteer recruitment Fundraising Design or purchase of planters Press and PR campaign launch Withymoor artwork display in empty shop windows February Press and PR public volunteer drive Purchase/donation of wood to planter makers Formalise group of volunteers (to include those maintaining planters,

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March 2012

April 2012

May 2012

June 2012

July 2012

developing scheme and growers - organise insurance) Voluntary gardening group meeting Prepare for public event end-April Gardening club liaise with local traders and draw up schedule for supplying water and also for their own maintenance roles Planter construction completion Training for volunteers from BTCV Leaflets to all high street shops about putting up a hanging basket. Organise sponsorship, acknowledgment plaques and fittings Steering group / gardening group meeting Associated Press and PR Early May planters positioned and filled with earth. School and community group fill planters Associated Press and PR Public event - Planting bedding plants in Moor Centre and landscaping areas volunteer drive Gardening club start maintenance then ongoing Register for Heritage Open Days history walk and bulb planting Artwork in one empty shop or change display Gardening group meeting Preparation for public hand-on art events in summer holidays (i.e. at library) Press & PR re in Bloom competition Posters made for schools and children to draw flower on each and put it on their car/house window Its our High Street! Guerrilla art display associated Press and PR If entered into in Bloom competition Street furniture maintenance Gardening group meetings Artwork in one empty shop or change display Judging day if entering an in Bloom competition Coordination of litter picking and environmental cleanup of High Street, car parks etc..

As timetabling has to be done around the seasons, many tasks need to be started in January and February to ensure that planters, growers, schools and groups are ready to plant spring flowers in May. In the first couple of months fundraising both for capital costs and in-kind support is important, as is strong coordination between the different groups and schools which may be participating.

Estimated Budget
Below are two draft budgets which include discretionary spend for art, gardening, events, volunteer expenses, insurance and training. This budget should only be seen as an example of the types of costs that year one of a campaign might include. The steering committee will decide on priorities and have to re-budget as appropriate. o Option One includes capital costs for purchase of planters from a supplier such as Plantscape. o Option two reflects the cost of building planters. 29 | P a g e

In-kind donations have not been taken into account for either of these options. The budget could be reduced significantly with in-kind support. The budget does not include any consultancy or project management fees. BHCF will need to decide what course of action they wish to take and if enough staff resource is available to coordinate the project, especially in the early stages where the campaign needs most time resource and coordination.
option 1 option 2 6830 2740 500 500 750 750 250 250 200 200 250 250 100 100 400 400 75 75 700 700 200 100 350 300 400 400 500 500

Planters and planting year one Other capital costs for gardening Contingency for planters/planting Events budget Art budget Insurance Participant workshop (February?) Volunteer expenses budget T-shirts gardening team Poster print run Stationery Postage Additional planting budget - Moor Centre Volunteer training

Contingency @ 10%

11505 1150.5 12655.5

7265 726.5 7991.5

Conclusion
This study sought to engage with the people of Brierley Hill and explore the feasibility of a Brierley Hill in Bloom style campaign to brighten up Brierley Hill High Street and get the community working together to improve their environment. While consultation has been carried out with a sample number of schools, community groups, local traders and businesses, support agencies and stakeholders; there is much excitement and positivity about this campaign. Those consulted have a genuine enthusiasm to be involved. There is a belief that the campaign has the potential to strengthen community cohesion, civic pride and community spirit within the town. It will also present the opportunity to expand existing programmes of activities, create new opportunities for volunteering, and contribute to building a sense of place in Brierley Hill. The main challenge will be time and keeping it manageable. The campaign needs to begin with gusto in January in order to have High Street planters filled with spring flowers by May. This is feasible with the right amount of input from the onset, and resource identified to make it happen.

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Appendix A: Contact list of those consulted

Brierley Hill Civic Society The Brierley Hill Project Tim Sunter Stacey Simpson Nicky Slater
WOULD BE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING

tim@sunter.eu stace@brierleyhillproject.org.uk nkk_slater@yahoo.co.uk hawbushcg@hotmail.co.uk jenny.worwood@ageukdudley.org.uk

Hawbush Community Gardens AgeUK Greenagers AgeUK Leap AgeUK - Springboard Brierley Hill Town Centre Partnership Withymoor Primary School Mount Pleasant Primary School St Marys Catholic Primary School Dudley MBC Dudley MBC Dudley MBC Dudley MBC BTCV Black Country Chamber of Commerce Dudley CVS Dudley CVS Groundworks Community Partnership Stourbridge in Boom Heart of England in Bloom Heart of England in Bloom

Garry Wright John Fox Maggie Thompson Jenny Worwood Tim Sunter Beccy Fellows Charmaine Redding
WOULD BE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING

tim@sunter.eu RFellows@withymoor.dudley.sch.uk 07792 369284 07969 689701 peter.vangeersdaele@dudley.gov.uk Andrea.Jones@dudley.gov.uk

Margaret Berreton Peter Vangeersdaele (Highways) Andrea Jones (Town Centre Manager) Keith Shakespeare Alan Radford Stefan Lewandowski Hardip Madahar

The Moor Centre Phoenix Calibration, Harts Hill Industrial Estate Dudley Performing Arts Public Art Unit Stourbridge College of Art and Design Artspace, Dudley Pentax Developments Ltd Savills John Emms Commercial

01384 814470 Alan.radford@dudley.gov.uk S.Lewandowski@btcv.org.uk HardipMadahar@blackcountrychamb er.co.uk Eileen Fielding eileenfielding@dudleycvs.org.uk Melissa Guest melissaguest@dudleycvs.org.uk Amit Dattani amit.dattani@groundwork.org.uk Dennis Hodson Dennis.Hodson@dudley.gov.uk David Harcourt 01384378209 Jenny Redfern (Coordinator) info@heartofenglandinbloom.co.uk 07775 930182 Mike Garwood (Chair, Judge) michael@michaelgarwood.orangeho me.co.uk 07970 363599 David Botwood davidbotwood@btinternet.com Vicki Wilkes 07977 502559 sales@phoenixcalibration.co.uk Claire Starmer Claire.starmer@dudley.gov.uk Steve Field Steve.field@dudley.gov.uk Elaine Giles Andrew.Sylvester@stourbridge.ac.uk Andy Sylvester Elaine.giles@stourbridge.ac.uk Ed Cartwright artspacedudley@live.co.uk Shane Birch Bastock shanebastock@mac.com Sarah Heynes sheynes@savills.com 0121 6348400 John Emms john@johnemmscommercial.co.uk 01384 257284

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Useful contacts Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust Dudley MBC Pip Newbury Kevin Billingham (Green Care) 0121 515 1702 / 07791 070991 philippa.n@bcll.org.uk kevin.billingham@dudley.gov.uk

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Appendix B: Judges comments on Urban Community award winners 2011

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Appendix C: Heart of England marking sheet and judging guidelines

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Appendix E: Dudley CVS insurance fact sheet

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Appendix F: Stourbridge College of Art and Design

Design Competition The Brief A community-led campaign which involves community groups, schools, allotment growers and Brierley Hill residents working together to brighten up Brierley Hill High Street with floral displays and planters, and empty shop units with floral themed artwork. It is a campaign which aims to get people working together and increase civic pride within the town. It will be coordinated by volunteers and supported by local businesses. Starting with Brierley Hill High Street in 2012, the planters and planted areas may then spread to other parts of Brierley Hill and form a trail that would be entered into the Heart of England in Bloom annual competition a few years along the line. This project aims to be on-going and standalone as it will have many different partners and contributors, and these may change over the years. Because we may start with an Its our High Street! message and move on to an Its our town! message, finally moving to Brierley Hill in Bloom, we do not wish to include any words at this stage. Branding is essential, and needs to be suitable for any changes in direction in the future. Design Brief branding To create bespoke branding for the project to reflect the campaign brief. Key words to describe the campaign and project are: Flowers, brighten, working together, community, schools Colourful, growing, gardening, high street, civic pride. Desired Outputs 1) A full colour logo This will be used on all correspondence (emails, letter head) on promotional material (posters, tshirts and on plaques placed on High Street planters). PLEASE PROVIDE A HIGH RES JPEG. NB: there are no limitations on colour, but the logo also needs to be visible and clear when printed in greyscale. 2) A simple full colour A4 belly poster (See attached an example of a belly poster) This poster should reflect the branding created. The poster will either be printed out and contents added by hand, or we will insert text into the poster and print out. PLEASE PROVIDE A PDF. NB: there are no limitations on colour, but the logo also needs to be visible and clear when printed in greyscale. One idea for this belly poster is to have it mass printed and distributed through schools. Each child would draw a picture of a flower or a floral scene inside it and these could be put inside house and shop front windows.

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The poster would serve a dual purpose; 1) Providing information about the project 2) Framing artwork created as part of the project. The Competition All submitted designs (to include JPEG logo and Belly Poster design) will be judged by Directors at the Brierley Hill Community Forum. The winning design will be used as branding for the community campaign. Design credit given on Project blog and in press and PR. Deadline for competition Friday 27th January

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Appendix G Documenting in Bloom year-round activity and achievements

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