History was made at the In Bloom Awards last Thursday when Midsomer Norton not only won Gold in the Champion of Champions category, but were also awarded the top prize jointly alongside Falmouth as ‘Winners of South West In Bloom’.

There were jubilant scenes from the Midsomer Norton In Bloom team who were ecstatic at their amazing win – in a category which included other major entrants in the Champion of Champions category this year such as Bath.

Whilst Midsomer Norton has reached giddy heights in recent years with flowers, South West In Bloom is now not just about blooms but much more about community engagement. Involving so many groups and individuals of all ages made the town’s entry really shine when it came to the judging.

“This is a truly amazing achievement and on behalf of Midsomer Norton’s residents I would like to thank the In Bloom Team, community group volunteers, Community Payback, the business community and contractors for their hard work and dedication during the last twelve months,” said Paul Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton.

“It shows just what can be achieved when we work together as a community. The award, presented by Jonathan Dimbleby last Thursday in front of an audience of 400 people representing the whole South West of England must count as one of Midsomer Norton’s finest hours”, he added.

In terms of Midsomer Norton’s twelve ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards’, the town got six outstanding awards, three thriving and three developing. Interestingly and perhaps controversially, South West In Bloom rated the River Somer as an outstanding project! Individual results included the following:

• Midsomer Norton Primary School – Outstanding

• River Somer Management Team – Outstanding

• Silver Street Local Nature Reserve – Outstanding

• SWALLOW Housing Association – Outstanding

• The Hollies Gardens – Outstanding

• Wansdyke Play Association Saturday Club – Outstanding

• Midsomer Norton Methodist Church – Thriving

• Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust, Midsomer Norton – Thriving

• Welton Afterschool Club Initiative – Thriving

• Midsomer Norton Community Allotments – Developing

• Welton Primary School – Developing

• Welton Village Group – Developing

A celebratory Civic Reception was held at Midsomer Norton Town Hall on Monday evening this week which was attended by over sixty members of the community who had taken part in this year’s In Bloom entry and who received their awards certificates from Town Mayor, Paul Myers. The Midsomer Norton In Bloom team now need to decide if they will take up the opportunity to participate in Britain In Bloom next year, which will see the town compete at the national competition level as well as the South West level.

Both Radstock and Paulton were awarded Silver Gilt in the Ayre Cup, Keynsham won Gold in the Portman Cup, with Temple Cloud winning Gold in the Pennant (village to small town) category.

In the Curo In Bloom Awards, Mr Winsley, from Bishop Sutton, won first prize in the window boxes, balcony and hanging basket category, Mr Elms, also from Bishop Sutton, won first in the small garden category, Ms Hawkins, from Radstock, won first in the large garden category and well done to under-12s, Miss Berri and Master Massey, from Radstock, who were runners-up in the tallest sunflower competition.