THE year is 1998.
A scattering of hanging baskets sway in the seaside breeze.
The newly founded Cleethorpes In Bloom team, Bob Callison, Jeff Blanchard, Alan Fletcher and Mike Sleight dust off their muddy gloves and look up to admire their handy work.
It was a start, at least.
But it was going to take a lot more. They needed people, money and faith. Well, at least they had one, they sighed.
"It was an uphill struggle," said Bob.
"We knocked on everyone's doors but a lot of people had been there, done that and got the T-shirt. It hadn't worked so far, why were we any different?"
But Bob and the boys knew they were on to something special and they weren't about to give up now.
With just £39 in their pocket – donated by the Grimsby Telegraph – they shyly entered the Yorkshire In Bloom coastal resort category.
Up against the likes of Scarborough and Whitby, over the years they took home a smattering of disappointing fourth, fifth and sixth places.
Bob continued: "Cleethorpes was still looking a bit drab. The headline in the Grimsby Telegraph read Cleethorpes In Gloom! You were right to do that, though.
"We had an attractive seafront, but we still needed more community input. There were no features or artwork. But then, slowly, people started to pull together.
"We realised there were people out there who wanted to see Cleethorpes succeed and we went from strength to strength."
Convinced they could do better, they listened intently to the judge's comments until finally they were awarded the Best Improved.
It was a sign of things to come and soon they held the shared title for Best Tourist Resort with Scarborough.
In 2009 they left Yorkshire and joined East Midlands In Bloom. It was a turning point for the team, who now had a band of volunteers behind them.
But a year into the economic crash, North East Lincolnshire Council were forced to cut budgets and In Bloom's £20,000 a year fund was slashed.
They soldiered on, raising the money themselves, seeking more sponsorship from local businesses, who, seeing the impact the team were having, gave readily.
Still with support of North East Lincolnshire Council – although not without a few rows over the digging up of Kingsway flowerbeds and the forced removal of award winning saucy postcards – they are now up for two gold awards in the Best Coastal Resort in East Midlands and in Britain In Bloom.
And with a host of other accolades behind them, silver, silver gilt, gold and the prestigious Champions Of Champions nomination, the team is stronger than ever.
They are now, once again, calling on the public for their support in 2013, inviting everyone to attend the official launch tomorrow from 7pm at McCormack's Bar, Pleasure Island.
Bob continued: "It hasn't been without its challenges. We have had our bad times as well as our good, but we have overcome the disagreements and are working more closely together than ever.
"We feel so proud of what we have achieved. We have contributed a lot and changed a lot of people's opinions.
"There are so many people behind us, who want to see the resort looking its best, who want nice colourful gardens. We have helped create that.
"We have this image of the perfect place and we are getting there.
"I remember the start like it was yesterday. It has gone so fast, but none of it could be done without the input of people, NELC and business partners.
"The list of people to thank is endless. Their support has been second to none.
"People are on board now. Years ago they weren't there. Now they feel that pride we have.
"Cleethorpes may be a small community, but it has a big heart.
"I am extremely proud to be a local lad who has contributed to making Cleethorpes the place it is today."
In Pictures: Cleethorpes In Bloom over the years
