Amberol planters bring a splash of colour to historic Market Harborough
Market Harborough is a market town in Leicestershire often cited in national surveys and property lists as one of the UK’s more desirable places to live. The town has an attractive centre and is known in the region for its range of independent retailers and iconic Grammar School which dates back to 1614.
The Market Harborough in Bloom Volunteers group has been active in the community for around 20 years. The organisation consists of around 24 volunteers at present, with support from Harborough District Council. The group receive a grant from the council and local organisations such as the Market Harborough and the Bowdens Charity, the Rotary club and the Market Harborough Building Society also make donations to help purchase plants and materials.
MHiBV co-ordinator Margaret Richards first heard about Amberol through one of their volunteers who also runs a horticultural nursery in the local park. They decided that the planters’ self-watering facility would help save on maintenance which is an important issue when relying on the goodwill of volunteers.
So far, the group has invested in a range of planters including 29 one metre square planters two x three tiered planters and seven barrels all of which require watering no more than once a week even in the driest of conditions. The planters are placed around the town, including along its picturesque High Street. To help with the cost, MHiBV also sell advertising space on the square planters to local companies which has proven a popular strategy.
Success in Britain in Bloom
The Amberol planters have played an important part in the town’s entry into this year’s Britain in Bloom competition in the large town category. The group has had a lot of success in East Midlands in Bloom, winning Gold several times. They were also category winners in 2014 and joint winners in 2015. The town was awarded a Silver Gilt during their last entry in the national competition in 2013.
Co-ordinator Margaret is rightly very proud of the work that the volunteers carry out and feels that their efforts make a real difference to the town. She says: “The volunteers do all the planting in the town including important places such as the railway station and the town square as well as planting and maintaining the rose garden in the local park.
“We have a lot of verbal feedback when we are in the town weeding and planting; people often say how bright and colourful they look and some even say that they come to Market Harborough because the town looks so good.”
Saving time, saving water
The self-watering facility helps to conserve water and save time for the volunteers who work hard caring for displays across the town as well as working with local organisations such as schools to develop community involvement. However, MHiBV were not only attracted by Amberol’s self-watering facility, they also liked the fact that the planters can be easily moved, enabling displays to change. The company’s products also have a reputation for longevity. In fact, the group has been so impressed with Amberol’s products so far that they have just purchased five more barrels taking their total to seven. The barrels look like wood but are actually made from recyclable polyethylene, ensuring durability as well as making them a more environmentally friendly choice.
“The self-watering planters enable plants to look their best and they really make an impact, bringing splashes of colour to the town,” adds Margaret. “The customer service from Amberol has also been very good – they really take the time to get to know their customers. I would have no hesitation recommending their products to other organisations.”
To find out more about how Amberol can help you, call 01773 830 930 or email sales@amberol.co.uk.
