Last Thursday, Radstock In Bloom welcomed a Judge from South West in Bloom to Radstock to assess our entry for The Champion of Champions category this year.

He was greeted at Radstock Museum by Chairman Sean Fletcher and then taken into the Museum to be shown a short presentation by Andrew Linham showing how the Railways linked with the Mines. A film was shown taken in 1969 showing coal being transported from Writhlington Colliery to the Railyards in Radstock and how the coal was then transported to different parts of the Country by rail.

Sean finished the presentation with how Radstock is evolving today.

Leaving the Museum the Judge was greeted by songs from children at Trinity Church School before embarking on a tour of Radstock including sites at Writhlington and Haydon.

The theme for this year was commemorating the last Somerset pit closing at Writhlington in 1969 and there are many pointers to this around the town including Radstock knitters and a new feature, the sculpture of a miners head on the Coal Truck on County Bridge. This was sculpted by Cathy one of our hard working volunteers (pictured right).

After the judging was completed a buffet lunch was prepared for everyone involved at Swallows Café.

Radstock In Bloom would like to express their appreciation to all Volunteer Groups and Local Traders who have helped us make Radstock look ‘Blooming Lovely’.

Pam Young