THE WOMAN who has helped put Bury St Edmunds on the map for its beautiful blooms and greenfingered projects has stepped down from the role after nine years.

Julia Rackowe, who has been campaign manager for Bury in Bloom over that time, has decided to move on to new challenges, which may include a position as an Anglia in Bloom judge.

Simon Pott, Bury in Bloom chairman, said Ms Rackowe had done a “splendid job” over the nine years, during which the horticultural group has attracted a number of Anglia in Bloom and Britain in Bloom awards.

Mr Pott said: “Julia will not be easy to replace but we start the process immediately in order that we have somebody in place for 2013. And we will be looking for somebody who has the same skills, enthusiasm and drive shown over this long period which has resulted in such consistent success for Bury St Edmunds.”

Ms Rackowe said she was really “proud” of the change in the campaign since she joined in 2003/4 - it now involving lots of elements of the community. “And Bury is more beautiful than it ever was, really,” she added.

She said her most memorable moments as campaign manager included the two finalist nominations for Britain in Bloom in 2007 and 2010 and winning the best large town in Great Britain accolade in 2007. “But also for me personally it’s been the people I have worked with. Such lovely people I would never have normally met without an involvement in Bury in Bloom.”

Ms Rackowe said stepping down had been a difficult decision, but she was happy to be leaving the campaign on a sound footing. Her new challenges may include a couple of board positions, but she added: “Let’s see what challenges there are to come.”

Anyone interested in the campaign manager position should contact Mr Pott on sp@simonpott.co.uk or by calling 01284 763521.