WITH Usk again a hive of activity ahead of the upcoming Wales in Bloom competition, the Adult Skills Centre (ASC) have pitched in.

They planted and donated the flower boxes that now sit outside the HSBC and NatWest bank, which are a welcome addition with the banks closed.

Chairman of Usk in Bloom Tony Kear said: “The quality of the displays are very impressive and clearly show huge dedication and enthusiasm for their gardening work.”

The students hope to be part of Usk open gardens next summer.

The Adult Skills Centre is part of Coleg Gwent and is based at the campus in Usk.

They provide a community service with training opportunities for adults with learning disabilities across Monmouthshire and Torfaen.

At the centre they have a small horticultural unit which maintains ornamental borders, grows herbs and vegetables for the raised beds and produces a range of bedding plants for summer containers.

Claire Stephens, Adult Skills Centre Coordinator said: “Our students who are all keen gardeners have helped in all stages of raising the plants, from purchase of seeds and then sowing, to pricking out and then growing on the young plants until they were ready for planting out in the troughs. 

“We use as much of our homemade compost as possible in the troughs and collect rainwater from our water butts for watering them.

“At the ends of the season we harvest seeds to be used for the following year. 

“As a college we are keen to be involved with the local community and are delighted to provide troughs for display around the town.”