Bloom judges are calling on even more Kendal traders to decorate their shop fronts with floral displays next year, reports Rachel Kitchen.

Judges who toured Kendal during this year's Cumbria in Bloom competition were particularly impressed by private gardens, courtyards, hospital planting, local authority displays, and the efforts made by public houses.

However, they suggested for the future that Kendal Town Council should: "Please pester more shops to support your Bloom entry."

Mayor of Kendal Avril Dobson said the layout of Kendal was "difficult" because the main street was so long, and to reach "little jewels" like Websters Yard, people had to walk past Highgate bank, for example, which was lacking in floral decorations.

"We've tried, we've gone round all the traders personally, asked them to do something, subsidised hanging baskets, we can organise for them to be watered, but we are still not getting the response we would like, sadly," she

said.

Coun Dobson stressed she did not wish to alienate the traders, but rather to encourage them to take part.

Kendal town clerk Hugh McClorry, who co-ordinates the bloom effort with town centre manager Maria Appleton, said the town council welcomed the judges' comments, and would appreciate more support every year, but was "very grateful for the increasing number of traders who participate."

Coun Paul Little, chairman of the Retail Forum, described the judges' comments about the traders as "a little bit unjustified".

He said that, through the scheme where traders can buy hanging baskets at a subsidised rate from Holmes of Natland, 27 more baskets were put up this year than last year.

Coun Little also felt the yellow colour scheme, chosen to tie in with the Golden Jubilee, might not have been the best choice against the grey backdrop of the town.

He said traders were making an effort, but they recognised there was always room for improvement, and the Retail Forum would be discussing that at a future meeting.