Praise for making Stroud shine

PUTTING his back in to making Stroud shine has won praise from civic leaders and Britain in Bloom judges.
Volunteer Martin Weeks goes that extra mile to make sure Stroud town looks its best.
He weeds and maintains flower displays, helps with planting and picks up litter.
He spends hours ensuring the town looks its best for the Britain in Bloom judging day.
Now his efforts have been recognised by Stroud in Bloom which was awarded a gold in this year's competition.
When Martin lost his job three years ago he was determined not to sit about.
So he approached town councillor and Stroud in Bloom committee member Margaret Poulton and asked if there was anything he could do to help.
Since then he has been a volunteer with Stroud in Bloom and helps out at many of the town's green spaces.
Malcom Tarling, chairman of Stroud in Bloom, said: "Martin has been seen helping to clear weeds, and remove litter on his days off, in areas around the town which would be visited by the judges from the Heart of England."
"Nothing is too much effort for Martin. He simply gets stuck into whatever needs doing. He is a great champion of Stroud in Bloom," said Jim Mathison, the town council's green spaces manager.
Jim, who joined the town council's team a year ago, was also honoured by Stroud in Bloom.
He received the cup for outstanding contribution to town centre green spaces.
"Jim is an avid supporter of Bloom initiatives," said Mr Tarling. "Jim is prepared to advise as well as being actively involved in supporting the aims and objectives of Stroud in Bloom.
"This was evident this year, when, despite the appalling weather, he created a magnificent floral meadow at Wallbridge which was highly praised by the Heart of England judges."