Breaking news - Sudbury Hostages held

Vice-chairman Andy Howes with an empty pole where a sponsors sign has been removed

Sudbury in Bloom are calling for the immediate release and reinstatement of the Sudbury hostages. Held against their will by agents for Suffolk County Council, Marketing Force, and removed without notice and taken from their beloved town, Sudbury In Bloom’s roundabout signs have been taken by Force indeed and replaced by the “in your face” camp guards of Marketing Force.

The removal of the longstanding signs puts the future of Sudbury in Bloom in jeopardy. They are our voluntary group’s main source of funding, with local businesses sponsoring our volunteers’ work maintaining many of the town’s floral displays in exchange for having their logos displayed in prominent locations.

We have started a petition at change.org and are calling on as many people as possible to sign it: click here to sign the petition 'Restore the Sudbury In Bloom signs on Sudbury's Roundabouts'.

Craig, owner of Sudbury McDonalds, said: “We have worked with Sudbury in Bloom for several years now and we know quality and recognise it in Sudbury in Bloom. We are very concerned for their future and support their request for the signs return.”

Sam from Howdens added: “We consider Sudbury in Bloom to be top drawer and with the finest of runners. We have worked with them for a number of years and are hopeful that they can be allowed to resume their great work.”

One of the sponsor signs that has been removed

Sign our petition for the return of our sponsor signs

Sponsor signs help pay for the plants that transform Sudbury's flower beds, such as this freshly planted roundabout bed

There they were out in all weathers minding the interests of Sudbury and bringing joy to sponsors and roundabouts and the town where they supported the good work in maintaining the town centre. Little was known of the hideous changes that were to be thrust upon a lovely town, sweeping away 20 years of practice and then hiding. No communication just silence.

Beheading our signs and taking them away leaving the poor grey posts standing as a testament to past times. These signs had stood guarding our beds with their resolute faces and trickling river representing the town. Facing the traffic and adverse weather without complaint. Now they lie unloved in their guarded cells, crying out to return to their rightful places. Helping local businesses support the work of Sudbury in Bloom.

And on an even more serious note Sudbury in Bloom, a small voluntary group, derives more than half its small income from roundabout sponsors. A map showing the areas maintained by Sudbury in Bloom is found here. Details of all our valued sponsors can be found here.

The roundabouts of Sudbury have supported plants being planted and maintained across Sudbury. The value is multiplied many fold by the volunteers who work with them and feed and nourish them. Sudbury is a town that can be proud of its achievements and its appearance, and its floral arrangements are loved by many locals and visitors alike. The loss of our marketing signs threatens the basis on which the town is maintained and public support for Sudbury in Bloom is sought to encourage community at the heart of the town.

Return the Sudbury in Bloom signs to their rightful places – it is the least that can be done. All that is asked is to be left in peace with a nice pot of compost and good flask of tea and we will be happy again! Now where did we put that Dibber?!

Total income of Sudbury in Bloom is around £6,000 per year and some sponsorship in kind (compost etc.). From this Sudbury in Bloom buy materials to carry out work that, if fully costed, would probably amount to in the region of £30,000 per annum.

Failure to restore our signs will therefore significantly impact the appearance and wellbeing of the town as a whole.

It is for this reason that we have launched a petition through Change.org at – sudburysurvey.uk - to restore Sudbury in Bloom signs to the roundabouts and to ensure that Suffolk County Council issue a full apology as well as reinstatement of the signs and to grant a guaranteed exclusive licence to Sudbury in Bloom to continue using the roundabouts for sponsorship on a rolling ten year basis at a cost not exceeding £1 per annum (including any training insisted on) for so long as Sudbury in Bloom continue.

Not much to ask in the circumstances and we would welcome a collaborative and supportive approach from the county council which we anticipate shortly!