DARTMOUTH in Bloom has been re-formed and re-launched as a properly constituted, fully accountable not-for-profit organisation after months of conflict.

This 're-bloom' of the committee follows a meeting on the evening of Wednesday, February 6, to elect new officers, after virtually all the bloom committee officers resigned at a crisis meeting held at the Royal Castle Hotel. Treasurer Judy Holt, membership secretary Jean Bannister, marketing officer Sue Thomson and secretary Jane Joy – who has been a driving force behind the bloom committee since it was formed – all quit their posts.

This was due to the recent on-going internal row among committee members, which culminated in an email criticising mayor Paul Allen's chairmanship of the flower team which runs the town's annual bloom competition efforts.

These conflicts then led to Mr Allen's resignation as chairman of the Dartmouth in Bloom team as its committee began to split into factions.

The split – which saw the bloom committee divided into two factions – deepened as Dartmouth district councillor and regatta chairman Hilary Bastone was invited to chair the crisis meeting as an independent voice.

But before the meeting even started, many of the 17-strong committee voted for vice- xhairman Stevie Rogers to take the chair instead.

Stevie Rogers has now been announced as the new Chair of the Dartmouth in Bloom Committee.

The committee believe that this recent change of committee officers has 'opened the way for this new direction', and they are determined to make the most of the opportunities to involve the whole community.

The aim of the group is, in line with the Royal Horticultural Society's guidance, to strive towards horticultural excellence, community involvement and environmental responsibility.

The new committee is planning to share its enthusiasm for these aims with all sections of the Dartmouth population, and thus help cement the community spirit and civic pride. New chair of the committee, Stevie Rogers, said: 'We would like to ask all previous sponsors of Dartmouth in Bloom, large and small (all equally valued) to get in touch as soon as possible in order for new relationships to be forged.

'Unfortunately a lot of paperwork is missing so the committee would very much appreciate this contact now.

'We would also love to hear from any new sponsors who may be able to offer support this year.

'The committee would also like to take the opportunity to request that any local people whose plants are currently housed in the community greenhouse get in touch as soon as possible.

'The plan is to use every inch of space in the greenhouse for growing on plants for the town planting displays, and for community horticultural activities.'

2013 is an important year for the town of Dartmouth, having been chosen as a finalist in the coastal towns with a population under 12,000 category of the Britain in Bloom finals. '