I AM sure all Studley residents will join me in congratulating The Studley in Bloom team, under the chairmanship of Justin Sayers, in achieving a silver medal for the first time in the Britain in Bloom contest.

Their dedication and hard work in planting up tubs, baskets, weeding, often in dangerous circumstances, watering and litter picking has transformed the village this summer and given pleasure to many people.

Thanks also for the input from the staff and children of Studley Community Infant School and the St Mary's Brownies.

It is regrettable that shops and businesses displayed a negative attitude when requested to keep their frontages tidy.

Let us hope that next year the parish council will support Studley in Bloom and not expect them to rely on donations and fundraising.

Let us also hope that our parish and district councillors join the annual litter-pick the weekend before judging.

Bill and Helen McCarthy are the only councillors who regularly join the litter-pick and should be applauded for their community spirit.

To keep up this high standard of a silver award, we must all pull together and make the village an attractive place to live and work in.

U Lowe, Studley