THE future of Launceston in Bloom is unclear, the town council has been told.

The Launceston in Bloom committee discussed its future at a meeting on September 26, as reported to the town council by its representative to Launceston in Bloom, Cllr Jessica Williams.

Although Cllr Williams couldn’t be at the town council meeting on October 16, she sent a written report.

In this, Cllr Williams wrote: “The committee secretary is unable to stay on and other committee members are unable to give the same amount of time and commitment. It was decided that Launceston in Bloom would not be able to continue as it had.

“The committee would like to arrange to meet with town council to discuss the possibility of town council taking on the planting in the town centre. The planting around the war memorial is a prominent feature in the square and as this area already has support and assistance from town council, it is hoped that this will be possible.

“It is accepted that the future of the hanging baskets will need to be looked at separately as the organisation of this is very different. Homeleigh has generously supported Launceston in Bloom and any new arrangements will need to be discussed with them. I have also contacted Oliver Jones at Cornwall Council to discuss the heather beds at Pennygillam and he is happy to review this area with town council. This can all be discussed in more detail should this council decide to arrange to meet with Launceston in Bloom. The committee are keen to start this process to allow time for arrangements to be made for next year’s displays.”

Mayor Cllr Margaret Young said: “Cllr Williams has written a thorough report asking if the council can take over the running of Launceston in Bloom, is as I’m reading it.”

Cllr Dave Gordon said: “The report says… suggest the town council take on the square’s flowers around the war memorial. It would be a shame I think to lose that colour in the summer months.

“I would like to see the square remain colourful in the summer months.” He said he felt the hanging baskets was ‘a different matter altogether’. Launceston in Bloom in the past has provided hanging baskets to contributing local businesses.

Cllr John Conway, referring to Launceston in Bloom’s late chairman, said: “Since Margaret took on Launceston in Bloom, the town has looked lovely and we have all appreciated what has happened to the town. It would be really sad to let it go.

“We need to look to support Launceston in Bloom as much as possible to keep the rest of the pieces going. It’s made our town look absolutely lovely. It’s not going to take a vast amount of money to keep it going.

“I think we need to be proactive to keep it looking as lovely as it has.”

Cllr Leighton Penhale, a member of the Launceston in Bloom committee, said: “I agree Margaret Wills was the driving force to Launceston in Bloom — that driving force is no longer there.

“There are people within the community who would like to see it continue but when it actually gets round to getting people — shopkeepers particularly [to contribute to hanging baskets]… some of our solicitors can’t afford it, you know?! These are some of the problems we have.

“If you ask anybody in town would you contribute to a hanging basket, they are very reluctant. Margaret had a knack of persuading them it was a very good idea!”

Cllr Brian Hogan suggested: “Perhaps the way forward is make people responsible for certain areas.”

Cllr Rob Tremain said: “We can’t make a decision this evening. The committee has asked for us to enter into discussions.”

He said the council’s properties and estates and finance committees ‘should have their say’ too.

The proposal that the town council takes over responsibility of planting around the war memorial was carried, Cllr Young confirming: “The rest we will take back to other committees.”