Farewell paid to Bury in Bloom co-ordinator
Robin Burnett, chairman of Bury in Bloom, presents the David Hockney reproduction print to Melanie Lesser. Picture: RUSSELL COOK - Credit: Archant
Family, friends and supporters turned out to say a special farewell to Bury in Bloom co-ordinator Melanie Lesser who is standing down from her role in promoting the town’s floral pride.
The people who attended a special farewell presentation to Bury in Bloom co-ordinator Melanie Lesser. Picture: RUSSELL COOK - Credit: Archant
She has held the post for the past six years and has steered the organisation to great success, culminating in Bury St Edmunds being awarded gold in the prestigious Britain in Bloom competition during a star-studded ceremony in Belfast last October and helping to host the Anglia in Bloom presentation in her home town last year.
Dozens of people turned up at the Apex in Bury, on Monday, to bid a final goodbye to Melanie who is handing the role over to Stephen Moody.
Robin Burnett, the chairman of Bury in Bloom, presented her with a David Hockney reproduction print entitled Coming of Spring.
He paid tribute to her saying: “I have rarely met anyone with the skills and enthusiasm that Melanie has and who is able to get things done with glee and good humour. She has been a huge part of making Bury a joyful colour and helping us to win floral town awards and raised to gold standard; what an achievement.”
Melanie Lesser proudly displays her David Hockney reproduction print with, from left to right, Martyn Taylor, chairman of the Bury Society; Robin Burnett, chairman of Bury in Bloom; and Stephen Moody, who is taking over Melanie's role as co-ordinator of Bury in Bloom. Picture: RUSSELL COOK - Credit: Archant
Melanie said: “It’s been a team effort for a fantastic town and we have had so much fun with the projects we have had and I have had a great six years.”
The community has been behind the campaign for Bury’s floral success, something Melanie says has been vitally important.
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“I set out to try to get Bury in Bloom back to where it had been before,” she said. “It hadn’t got to Britain in Bloom for sometime so I was keen to get us there.
“Building the team has been part of my job since I first got involved.
“There are lots of different sponsors, lots of different people involved.
“I must say the East Anglian and other local media have been fantastic as I’m able to say, ‘we can get our picture in the paper for this’ so that’s been a big bonus.”
There have been many floral projects all over the town in her time as co-ordinator, but a few stand out including the sculptures on the roundabouts and the “River of Flowers” on the Tollgate roundabout.
Now she is planning to spend more time playing golf, visiting her stepson in Australia, helping to plan her daughter’s wedding in 2020 and spending more time with friends around the country.
