The project, at the Thetford Road and Green Road junction, has been developed by Brandon in Bloom CIC after the group received National Lottery funding in November 2025 for a new biodiverse garden at the site.

After removing the turf and assessing the ground during the summer, the group decided to create a sand garden – an innovative form of planting designed to need less water and maintenance while providing resilient growing conditions for drought-tolerant plants. Once established, the garden is intended to require no irrigation or fertiliser.

Preparatory work in recent weeks was carried out with the help of Ben Betts of Betts of Brandon Ltd, Luke and Gemma Todd of Cambridge Landscape Services and other members of the Todd family, including preparing the ground and installing recycled-plastic edging.

The transformation stepped up a gear on Friday 9th October, when Rory J Holbrooks generously donated a full load of “As Dug” sand, delivered directly from the quarry.

Around 20 tonnes of sand was used to create a 10cm-deep surface across the 88-square-metre border. Ben Betts, members of the Todd family, Brandon in Bloom volunteers and local neighbours then worked together to spread the entire load in under two hours.

Before the sand went down, approximately 600 daffodils and 150 alliums were planted beneath the surface, ready to provide a colourful display in the future.

On Sunday 11th October, attention turned to planting the completed sand garden.

Members of the 1st Methwold Scout Group, led by Liam and Hope Todd, joined the effort alongside Alison Findlay, RHS East of England Regional Advisor for Community Campaigns.

Alison and Brandon in Bloom Director and Rotarian Susan Nutt first helped the Scouts plant 500 purple crocus bulbs for The Rotary Club, before the group began positioning around 600 ornamental grasses, herbaceous perennials and alpines throughout The Arc.

The plants were selected for the garden by Rachel Sobiechowski of P&R Garden Supplies and approved by Asa Gregers-Warg, Head Gardener at Beth Chatto’s Gardens, who has extensive experience of sand gardens.

The day also brought a particularly special addition to the new garden.

Joanna Jones from Plantlife UK joined Breckland Flora Group volunteers Bernard Pleasance and Sandi Kneale to plant 15 Field Wormwood (Artemisia campestris) plants – a very rare species associated with the Breckland area.

Field Wormwood is classed as Rare in Great Britain and Endangered on the GB Red List, with fewer than 1,000 plants recorded nationally. Only three original Breckland sites remain, making the introduction of the plants at The Arc an important part of efforts to increase both the number and size of populations in the region. The plants will now be closely monitored over the coming months.

The completion of the planting marks a major milestone for The Arc, transforming the prominent roadside area into a garden designed not only to provide colour and interest, but also to demonstrate a more sustainable and resilient approach to planting.

The garden has been kindly sponsored by The Rotary Club of Brandon and District, with information boards due to be installed at the site shortly.

A team of volunteers proudly represented Brandon at the annual awards ceremony, held on Thursday 24th September at Burgess Hall in St Ives, Cambridgeshire.

The Anglia in Bloom Awards celebrate achievements in horticulture, sustainability and community pride across the region, recognising the hard work of volunteers and communities throughout the year.

The day began with the Virtual Awards, which recognise areas including cemeteries, public parks and hotels through photo-based submissions. Brandon had an early reason to celebrate when St Peter’s Churchyard was named Best Churchyard and the work at the Friendly Bench was named as the best Fifa World Cup display.

Brandon was also recognised in the Special Awards. Unlike other categories, these awards are not open for entry, with nominations selected directly by the judges. Brandon’s nominations were:

• Community Award: Marketplace Arts Mural
• Edible Award: Edible Planters (Pick Stops) and Rabbits Garden
• Celebrating 100 years of Winnie the Pooh

These reflect the wide variety of work taking place across Brandon, from encouraging biodiversity and sustainable planting to bringing colour, creativity and community spirit to public spaces.

The highlight of the day came when Brandon was awarded Gold in the Town category for the sixth consecutive year, continuing the group’s remarkable run of success.

There was even more to celebrate when Brandon was also named Best Town in its category, rounding off another hugely successful year for Brandon in Bloom and its volunteers.

Guests at the ceremony also enjoyed a light lunch, raffle and the opportunity to meet and share experiences with fellow Bloom groups from across the region.

The new project, known as The Arc, will see what was once an uninspiring stretch of grass on Thetford Road become a species-rich planting scheme designed to thrive in a changing climate while providing an attractive new green space for residents, visitors and wildlife.

The first day of work brought together volunteers from across the community, including Ben from Betts of Brandon, members of Brandon & District Rotary Club, Rachel from Brandon in Bloom and members of the public, all donating their time to help bring the vision to life.

The project has been made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, with Brandon & District Rotary Club sponsoring the garden. Planning permission and planting licences were secured earlier this year, allowing work to begin ahead of the main planting phase in the autumn.

The Arc has been carefully designed to be both beautiful and practical. The elliptical planting bed will make future maintenance easier while introducing a wide variety of drought-tolerant perennials, ornamental grasses and spring bulbs that will provide colour throughout the seasons and create an important habitat for pollinating insects.

Shading posts will also be installed to create cooler growing conditions for plants while doubling as nesting sites for solitary bees, helping to support local biodiversity.

Brandon in Bloom says the project reflects a new approach to gardening that responds to the challenges of climate change. By selecting the right plants for the right place and carrying out planting during the autumn, the garden will require less watering, establish stronger root systems and be more resilient to hotter, drier summers.

Volunteers will continue preparing the site over the coming weeks before the main planting begins later this year. Once complete, The Arc will create a welcoming new landscape that benefits both people and wildlife for years to come, while continuing Brandon in Bloom’s work to enhance green spaces across the town.

Installed at bus stops and public areas around Brandon, the new Amberol planters are designed not only to brighten the streetscape, but also to demonstrate how fruit, vegetables, and herbs can be successfully grown in even the smallest of spaces.

The project was made possible thanks to funding from BRAN (Building Resilience and Nutrition), which Brandon in Bloom received earlier this year.

Each planter measures approximately one metre square and has been planted using the principles of “square foot gardening” – a simple but highly effective growing method first developed in the 1970s by gardening expert Mel Bartholomew.

The technique uses divided growing sections within a compact raised bed, allowing crops to be planted intensively while using far less space and water than traditional gardening methods. Dense planting also naturally suppresses weeds and reduces maintenance, making it ideal for beginners and community spaces alike.

The planters are intended to inspire residents to try growing their own produce at home, regardless of whether they have a garden, patio, balcony, or simply a small outdoor area.

Earlier in the year, the group held a series of seed giveaway events, distributing more than 600 packets of easy-to-grow vegetables suitable for smaller spaces. The new planters now act as living demonstrations, showing residents exactly how these crops can be grown successfully in practice.

The choice of bus stops and public waiting areas was deliberate. These are often neglected spaces that people simply pass through, and the project aims to make them greener, more welcoming, and more enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.

Beyond their visual impact, the edible planters are also designed to encourage conversations about gardening, healthy eating, sustainability, and seasonal food. Produce grown within the planters will be freely available for anyone who wishes to pick it.

The additional greenery also benefits wildlife and the wider environment, helping support bees, birds, and other pollinators while creating greener corridors through the town.

Local volunteers have already stepped forward to help care for the displays, with the community response so far being extremely positive.

We hope the project will continue to grow over the coming months, encouraging more residents to get involved with gardening while helping make Brandon a greener, healthier, and more connected place to live.

Held at the Brandon Royal British Legion, the evening of Friday 5th December brought together the many individuals and groups who have contributed their time and effort to keeping the town vibrant and flourishing.

Guests were welcomed by Cllr Victor Lukaniuk, who opened the event with an introduction and a reading of the awards Brandon received this year from both Anglia in Bloom and Britain in Bloom, recognising the town’s ongoing dedication to environmental enhancement and community pride.

Following the introduction, West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy addressed attendees, thanking volunteers for their commitment and emphasising the value of grassroots community projects. He then presented certificates for the RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood scheme, celebrating the hard work of local groups who have improved their streets, green spaces and shared environments.

A buffet, provided by the Brandon Royal British Legion, offered a welcome break and a chance for guests to catch up before the evening raffle.

The final segment of the night was led by Cllr Phil Wittam, Chairman of both West Suffolk Council and Brandon Town Council, who presented Brandon in Bloom’s Certificates of Appreciation. These were awarded to the volunteers, local groups and businesses who support Brandon in Bloom on a regular basis, recognising their consistent contribution to planting, maintenance, fundraising and community engagement throughout the year.

The ceremony closed with warm applause for all involved, highlighting once again that Brandon in Bloom is powered not only by flowers, but by the dedication and enthusiasm of the community itself.

The grant will help the group grow its community gardening projects, taking its work beyond the town centre and developing new areas for residents to enjoy.

Rachel Sobiechowski, one of the group’s directors, said the funding will have a big impact:

“I’m so excited to have received this funding. It will make a huge difference to the group, allowing us to expand out of the town centre and into new areas — enhancing green spaces deeper in our community.”

She also encouraged more people to get involved in the next phase of the project:

“We will need new volunteers to come forward to help us create and maintain this new area. If you live in the Green Road or Paddocks area and would like to help, please contact me at rachel@brandoninbloom.co.uk.”

This funding will support Brandon in Bloom’s ongoing mission to brighten the town, support wildlife, and bring neighbours together through shared gardening projects.

A huge thank you goes to National Lottery players for making this possible.

The poppies are crafted by the Brandon Suffolk Yarn Bombers, a creative group of around 50 people who regularly knit and crochet for community displays. Formed exactly eight years ago today, the group are also Guinness World Record holders for creating the longest line of pompoms in 2022, made to celebrate the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee.

Each year, the yarn poppies are carefully stored and reused, with an additional 1,200 new poppies handmade this year for displays along the High Street. These complement the existing tributes at The Rose Garden and The Wedge.

A striking 15-square-metre poppy net is also on display at the Old School House, with thanks to the Brandon Town Council staff who assisted in hanging the display.

The Royal British Legion red poppy remains a powerful symbol of remembrance and hope for peace. Founded in 1921, the Poppy Appeal raises vital funds to support serving personnel, veterans, and their families—helping them whenever and however they need it. Wearing or displaying a poppy is a simple yet meaningful act of gratitude and solidarity with the Armed Forces community.

To donate to this year’s Poppy Appeal, please visit www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise-for-us/poppy-appeal or give generously to the poppy collectors located in Aldi and Tesco Brandon.

Lest We Forget.

The group was one of six finalists in its category and among 44 finalists nationwide competing across all sections of the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship competition.

Adding to the celebrations, Brandon in Bloom director Rachel Sobiechowski received a Community Champion Award, recognising her outstanding contribution to the group and the wider community.

Gary Brocklehurst, fellow director of Brandon in Bloom, said: “It’s fantastic to have maintained our Gold standard again this year, and even more special that, for a second awards ceremony running, one of our members has been recognised as a Community Champion.”

Rachel Sobiechowski said the day had been an emotional one: “I’m completely overwhelmed by today’s event – it was such a special experience and a huge surprise to receive a Community Champion Award. I’ve shed more than a few tears!

“My heartfelt thanks go to all our volunteers and my fellow directors – none of what we do would be possible without each and every one of these wonderful people.”

The group previously won Gold in the 2023 Britain in Bloom awards and continues to be recognised for its dedication to enhancing the town’s environment, promoting sustainability, and bringing the community together through horticulture.

This year’s Halloween display turns the season’s familiar spider sightings into an opportunity to learn and create. The exhibition explores why spiders become more visible in autumn, highlighting their fascinating life cycles and their vital role in keeping insect populations under control.

Helping to bring the theme to life were the children from Glade Academy, who designed and built a giant spider from recycled materials and a web filled with handmade cork spiders. Their imaginative contributions are at the heart of the display, combining environmental awareness with hands-on creativity.

The project was also supported by the Brandon Creative Forum and the Brandon Yarn Bombers, who added their own flair with colourful knitted spiders and webs. Alongside these eye-catching creations, visitors can also enjoy a series of fun and fascinating spider facts, helping to demystify these often-misunderstood creatures and spark curiosity about the natural world.

Together, these local groups have transformed The Friendly Bench into a vibrant celebration of nature and community collaboration. As autumn sets in, spiders are more active than usual — many species are reaching adulthood, searching for mates, or seeking out warmer spaces to spend the winter. While their sudden appearance can cause alarm, understanding these behaviours helps us see spiders as essential parts of our ecosystem. By controlling insect populations, they help maintain a natural balance that benefits us all.

Visitors to The Friendly Bench are encouraged to stop by, admire the display, and perhaps see these eight-legged creatures in a new light. Through creativity, learning, and teamwork, the community has shown that even the spookiest symbols of the season can teach us something valuable about the world around us.