Controversial

Who knew croci could cause controversy! In the last 2 years a Calstock In Bloom group has been created and they are transforming the village and have won Gold in the RHS Britain In Bloom the last 2 years! The village has a village green and some beds around the carpark but otherwise no green spaces - but then we are a rural village and surrounded by countryside! A lot of properties don't have gardens, some have front yards, some of the bigger properties and newer ones have gardens, and some have large gardens like Dawn French! The group have placed containers in the village square and by the train station and generally people have been putting containers infront of their houses. These 3,000 croci are on a wedge of grass by the bus stop just down from me. (When looking up how croci vs crocuses I found this :a carpet of crocuses or a chorus of croci! ) Well what a storm that raised! Some people objected to this saying it was a space for wild grasses!! If they knew anything about gardening they would have known after their spring display they will die back and the grasses take precedence! This person also objected to the shrubs placed in the carpark beds, saying wild spaces should be created and things like nettles and blackberries allowed to grow and provide food for insects! What a stupid person! The hedges are full of these all round the village and I'm constantly fighting them on my allotment! To be in beds in the village where children play is nonsensical! The flowers attract all sorts of insects and they have also built a large bug house. Their planting is gorgeous - not the usual hanging baskets and annuals so often seen. Some people object to their efforts saying it's "prettifying"the village - I see nothing wrong in having more flowers and a bit of beauty!
However this did prompt Nellies partner to write an article in the local newsletter questioning how the group operated - they seemed to be self elected and no consultation being made about what they did. Fair point. They do post on the Calstock page when they are going to do something and invites anyone interested to join them. I guess if you want to have a say get involved!
What aggravated me was one of the members response on the Calstock facebook page. He launched a personal  attack on him. He had obviously looked at his facebook page where he often posts about issues around second homes. He stated that he didn't mind taking money from visitors by busking! He missed or preferred to not mention that they busk for causes - the most recent being Gaza. There was more of this and I was so pleased to see the majority of responses pointed out how much he has done for the Calstock community over decades - the latest being the monthly Calstock Cake where they host a variety of  workshops and lunch and cake for a donation. All profits go back into future events. 
I know plants have caused conflicts with neighbours -  leylandii being a common one, and I wondered if plants have caused other conflicts and found this book calledPlants, Humans and war!  I don't think we have quite come to this point!