THE Feather’s Hotel in Ledbury was one of the unsung heroes of this year’s successful Ledbury in Bloom campaign.

And another hero was the former chairman of Ledbury in Bloom, John Grove, who pulled out the stops to make sure the Hereford Road roundabout was looking its best for the arrival of the Heart of England in Bloom judges.

Mr Grove stepped in after a misunderstanding between the Town Council and the new owners of The Feather’s Hotel, - a misunderstanding which had left the key ‘gateway’ roundabout looking unkempt and unloved.

Clive Gunn, the current chairman of Ledbury in Bloom said: “The roundabout had gone without its regular maintenance for a few weeks. The timing was unfortunate as the recent weather had been perfect growing conditions for grass and weeds, leaving it looking unloved.

“Not one to sit back and ignore a problem, John wrote to Kevin Charity, the Chief Executive of The Coaching Inn Group, explaining the long association between The Feathers Hotel and the roundabout. He also explained the time that it takes for a new sponsor to draw up plans and obtain the permission required.”

“In reply, Mr Charity explained that the hotel still considered itself very much part of Ledbury and it’s community and were very willing to contribute to the benefit and wellbeing of the town; indeed they had already committed over £5000 to local groups.”

But there had been a misunderstanding over the roundabout.

Mr Gunn, who is soon to hand over the reins of chairman to Tina Vass, because of ill health said: “However they were given to understand that a new sponsor was waiting to take over instantly.

“As a gesture of goodwill Coaching Inn Group agreed to John Grove’s suggestion for the regular contractor to tidy up the roundabout and keep it in trim until the new sponsor takes over officially. I would like to thank John Grove for his intervention and Mr Charity for a wonderful response.

“Personally I would love for The Feathers to continue sponsoring the roundabout and playing a major role in the life of Ledbury.”

Last month it was announced that Ledbury had earned its 13th gold medal in a row for Heart of England in Bloom.