Bloom team sitting pretty with new sponsor deal

ALNESS in Bloom, which has won global recognition for the floral displays in the Easter Ross town, has clinched an unprecedented sponsorship deal with phone and broadband company, TalkTalk.

TalkTalk revealed yesterday that it will be sponsoring Alness in Bloom for the next twelve months.

The funding will be used to provide three large hanging baskets and planters at the centre of Alness High Street. The display will be full of pink and blue blooms to match the TalkTalk logo.

Alongside the sponsorship deal, TalkTalk says it will be investing £50,000 in technology to bring best value broadband offers to the town and surrounding areas. Carolyn Wilson, chair of the Alness in Bloom committee said, "With the financial support of TalkTalk we will be able to develop beautiful planters and hanging baskets at the centre of the High Street in Alness.

"Many visitors come to the town to see our colourful displays and we hope to have our best year yet."

Alness first entered the Scotland in Bloom Competition in 1997 and since then the town has enjoyed considerable success in floral contests. Alness has won the Scottish small town award seven times, British small town award three times and the Beautiful Scotland in Bloom Premier Award three times and been winners in the Nations and World in Bloom competitions.

Tristia Clarke, commercial director at TalkTalk, said, "We are excited to be able to support local communities by investing in initiatives that deliver a difference to the community and are delighted to be supporting Alness in Bloom for the upcoming year. We wish them every success with this year’s competition".

TalkTalk is expanding its Next Generation Network in the Alness area.