“lending council workers to voluntary groups during working hours on pay surely as got to be illegal under the working rules legislation. voluntary meens for no renumeration which is not the case as they are receiving a wage and not just expenses”

“When the East Midlands in Bloom regional judges visited Great Grimsby last summer and awarded us the Gold and 1st place in our category, we took them through the East Marsh, West Marsh, South and Park Wards....not all the most affluent areas of town, but there were places of significant interest in these wards to show the judges and I believe are all part of the 'real Grimsby'.

We are not being judged on architecture, but on community participation, environmental responsibility and horticultural achievement.

In July 2010, it is our intention to try to get some of the other wards involved as we don't want to leave anywhere out. The other wards we are hoping to include are Nunsthorpe, Yarborough and Freshney.

We are proud of all parts of Grimsby and would not be ashamed to take the judges anywhere...the community participation in Great Grimsby is fantastic...it's just a shame we only have 3 hours to show the judges round Grimsby as we will inevitably have to leave somewhere out.

So much going on....and so little time!”

“Mr Bojangles. Firstly, it is not a council thing, whilst they support it with the assistance of council gardeners, they do not run it. Secondly, 2009 was only the first year that Grimsby In Bloom ran. Thirdly, yes it's you, I happen to think, as a resident, it raises the aspirations of the area and is a positive thing. Yes, jobs are important, but perhaps it is keeping some people, such as council gardeners in work!”

“typical of this town hide all the mess and just have a hand picked route that will probably be the most affluent areas within the borough, god forbid that they the judges have to see the real grimsby that we have to live in. I reckon that is a bit of discrimination towards the poorer parts of the town”

“im i the only one that thinks this grimsby in bloom thing is the most boring and dullest story its been going for years,please can this paper recruit some journalists and give us some new news instead of this council drivel.”

“I quite agree with you ET, being just made unemployed myself, I too wish there were more jobs to go around, but in the meantime, to keep me out of mischief, I'll spend my free time doing voluntary work.

The Grimsby in Bloom campaign isn't by invitation only...anyone can be involved in the campaign. It's just the launch event that is by invitation only...hope you understand.

The Grimsby in Bloom campaign is also not just about flowers...it's about the whole environment, the place where we all live...and if any improvements to Great Grimsby can make residents feel better, whether it's flowers, less litter, pride in their community, etc, then this can surely only be a good thing.”

“Thanks Jacquie.

Still not sure what an "invitation-only campaign" means.

Sorry i shall have to decline your invitation to join you, because i beleive Grimsby needs more than a few flowers to restore what is sadly missing. The businesses to provide much needed jobs being the main thing.”

“Oh please, no! I can't bear another few months of 'blooming' puns by the Telegraph. Change the record.”

“I would just like to let ET and anyone else know that this event is not just for the sponsors of the 2009 campaign. The Grimsby in Bloom campaign is much bigger than that and our forthcoming launch is not only to thank all of the sponsors from 2009, but to let the community know of our plans for 2010.

All of the schools, youth clubs, children's centres, community centres and colleges in Great Grimsby have been invited, along with lots of businesses, but these are mostly the businesses that have already shown an interest in the Grimsby in Bloom campaign.

The Grimsby in Bloom campaign holds an Award Ceremony every September to thank all the residents, volunteers, participants of the competitions and businesses that have been involved, particularly in last summers campaign.

The Grimsby in Bloom committee believe that the campaign is not about winning competitions, but about building communities and this is why we have been so successful, being awarded 47 points out of 50 for community participation in last years East Midlands in Bloom competition.

The people of Great Grimsby have shown their remarkable support for this campaign and I would urge anyone, whether as a resident, volunteer, teacher or business owner etc to get in touch if you would like to be involved. We don't turn anyone away as every aspect of Grimsby is important to us.

I would also like to add that Conoco Philips have not been invited nor have they given a penny to the Grimsby in Bloom campaign, but if they would like to change that, then they are more than welcome to get in touch, we would welcome them with open arms.

We have to restrict the event to invited guests as the room will only hold 300 people but if anyone would like to come to the launch, that has not been invited, please get in touch so that you can be put on the list of guests. Anyone with a genuine interest will not be turned away...ET...would you like to come??”

“Does this mean that only the people who HAVE given money in the past are invited to this event???

So Grimsby in bloom is just for the people who can afford to give money.
Not much chance of attracting new supporters if as suggested, the exercise is to only invite the big money organisations such as Conoco Phillips .
Well done Ernie.”