We have been working with sponsors Bridge Farm Plants of Monks Eleigh to revive one of the beds on the McDonalds roundabout on Northern Road/Waldingfield Road.

Babergh District Council contractors cut back the ivy which had spread across most of the space, with Flowers Groundcare kindly rotavating the roots free of charge.

Sudbury in Bloom volunteers and Bridge Farm Plants staff carried out more clearing. The bed was then manured with alpaca manure (a first for us, so we will be interested to see how much difference it makes!) and finally we got to the planting.

We supplied lots of Salvias grown by us, along with own-grown ornamental grasses and Agapanthus. The rest of the plants were donated free of charge by Bridge Farm Plants to provide low-maintenance year-round colour and interest. Plants include Cornus dogwood, Euphorbias, Erysimum shrubby wallflowers, Pittosporums and Phormiums, alongside spring bulbs which should pop up year after year.

We expect it will be a year or two for the planting to really fill out but we think it is looking much better than before!

We have had a number of socially distanced work sessions at Sudbury Resource Centre over winter and spring.

The courtyard area has had quite an overhaul. The sloped bank has been cleared and new planting added, including a couple of small trees.

The back fence has had a lick of paint, and edging added and painted to help define the area. Our volunteers have also repaired some of the garden furniture, and given existing planting a tidy-up.

Previous planting at the front of the building has been providing splashes of colour throughout the spring, and we hope it has lifted the spirits of all using the hub!