Helping hands help Herm prepare for Britain in Bloom task

A COMBINATION of Lloyds TSB staff and sunshine helped Herm with its preparations for Britain in Bloom's Champion of Champions competition.

In recognition of its consistently high standards in the overall Britain in Bloom competition, Herm has been nominated for the Champion of Champions category along with four other communities across the British Isles.

The island's gardening team, headed by Brett Moore, has been preparing for the arrival of the judges this summer and have been boosted by more than 30 pairs of hands from Lloyds TSB in Guernsey and Jersey. The company's Day to Make a Difference saw them undertake a range of activities.

'It was an extremely successful day and, with the weather on our side, we were able to complete all of the work we had planned to do,' said Morgan Beanland, head of Lloyds TSB Offshore Corporate, Guernsey.

'It was a huge team effort and a great way of our teams from Guernsey and Jersey coming together to give something back to the communities which we proudly serve.'

The work undertaken by the staff from the retail, private banking and corporate teams focused on the Woodland Walk, which runs parallel to Harbour Hill, and at the school.

In the Woodland Walk, 500 metres of wooden fencing was stained, 400 metres of pathway was covered with 10 tonnes of woodchip and a new wildflower area was created. At the school, a wooden storage box was repainted, flowerbeds were replanted, outdoor blackboards were created and the children were also given a talk about banking and how they can look after their money. Staff had also taken across bird boxes, which were put in both the Woodland Walk and near the school.

'It was a fantastic day and our teams worked really hard to finish all the tasks which had been given to them – and I'm sure their efforts will help Herm in its bid to be named Champion of Champions,' said islands director for Lloyds TSB Tim Cooke.

'Our thanks must go to everyone in Herm, especially head gardener Brett Moore and his team, as well as to Aurigny and Travel Trident for their help with the travel arrangements.'

Mr Moore said the support of Lloyds TSB was invaluable in Herm's efforts to get ready for judging.

'We are a small community with a very unique and diverse environment and we want to ensure our reputation as one of the top communities in the British Islands is maintained, but with a limited number of staff that can be a huge challenge.'