Press Releases
Blooming Students – University students spring into action! – University of Reading
Release Date : 11 November 2009
This November, University of Reading students are having a seed planted in their minds about the upkeep of their gardens. This year's Blooming Students scheme was launched last Thursday during the University's Green Week, with the aim of encouraging students living in the local community to plant spring bulbs to spruce up their front gardens.
Last year's inaugural competition was a huge success, with over 70 student households taking part. Once again University staff and representatives of Reading University Students Union have contacted student households with spring bulbs, pots, compost and trowels, to make a contribution to beautifying their communities.
The University, with backing from its Annual Fund has donated 2000 bulbs, 200 pots and bags of compost made on the Whiteknights Campus. It has also purchased gardening kits for students to borrow. Space Estate Agents have kindly agreed to sponsor cash prizes of up to £200 for the best creative display of spring bulbs in 2010.
Ann Westgarth, University of Reading Community Relations Manager, said: "Our 'blooming student' initiative helps dispel the myth that student houses are always scruffy and untidy and gives students the impetus to tidy and brighten their front gardens. We were delighted at the response to last year's initiative from both students and the local community. It looks as though this year's competition will be even bigger, with our target being to get over 100 student households involved in the scheme.
This year, Blooming Students has joined forces with the annual Reading in Bloom competition. Reading Councillor Jeanette Skeats, Chair of the Reading in Bloom Committee who attended the launch said: "This is a fantastic initiative encouraging a sense of pride in our local community. I am delighted Blooming Students has joined as an additional arm with Reading In Bloom. I am sure this year will be even more successful than last."
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For all University of Reading media enquiries please contact James Barr, Press Officer tel. 0118 378 7115 or email j.w.barr@reading.ac.uk
Notes to Editors:
The University of Reading's Annual Fund was established in 2004 and is organised by the University's Development and Alumni Relations Office. The Fund aims to support and enhance the student experience through innovative teaching and learning, extra-curricular activities and financial support. The funds raised have helped hundreds of students in need of financial support, as well as providing
In the last five years almost £1.7 million has been pledged in total to enhance the student experience at Reading. Over 4,000 Alumni have already pledged donations, ranging from one-off gifts of £20 to monthly donations of £50 or more. To date, £1.7 million in gifts and pledges has been raised
Reading in Bloom is part of the national "Britain in Bloom" initiative bringing out the best in villages, towns and cities throughout the UK every summer. For more information please visit
http://readingscm.web-labs.co.uk/leisureandculture/readinginbloom/