On Thursday, 12th October members of Radstock in Bloom were addressed by Dr Bruce Lawrence, B&NES’ Director of Public Health, who spoke on the benefits of gardening, the theme of the Radstock in Bloom entry this year.

He traced the origins of personal gardens back to the Persians, who developed walled gardens the Greeks called ‘paradise’. Dr Lawrence said that Radstock in Bloom itself demonstrated the theme, gardening is good for you, without a lecture from him, so he only touched briefly on those.

Indeed, ‘stars of the show’ were the members of The Potting Shed, first-time entrants, who won ‘Improving’ in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ section, while SWALLOW carried off ‘Outstanding’ for their work at the St Nicholas’ Church tea rooms, as did ‘Dig-It’, the gardening club at the Connections Day Care Centre, Writhlington. Other ‘Outstanding’ entrants were: Haydon Community Garden, Meadow View Residents, Radstock Methodist Church garden, St Nicholas CofE Primary School, Westfield Primary School and Westfield Allotments and Gardening Society. Although Westfield in Bloom does not exist, the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ entries are administered by the Radstock Secretary, which allows them to enter.

After a break of a year, the Ayre Cup for small towns was entered again, with the reward being Silver Gilt.

A packed church hall saw the winners of Radstock in Bloom’s own front garden, hanging basket and allotments competition receive their awards.

Radstock in Bloom are much indebted to Cllr Cherry Beath, Chair of B&NES Council, Dr Lawrence and Dr Virginia Williamson of Bath Allotments Association for presenting the certificates on the night.

There was excellent cake provided by Carole Martin, from Trinity Methodist Church, to whom warmest thanks are due.

Full results are as follows – Front Garden Competition (Containers): William Sims (Silver), Kim and Marion (Gold), Jane Day (Gold), Paula Moon (Gold and second runner-up), Manor Farm Residential Home (Gold and first runner-up), Sandy Hazel (Gold and overall winner).

Front Garden Competition: Paula Moon (Silver), William Sims (Silver), Will Steadham (Silver), June Day (Gold), Chris James (Gold), Rose Rogers (Gold and second runner-up), Ivor Horler (Gold and first runner-up), Gerald and Madelene Jenkins (Gold and overall winner).

Haydon Allotment Competition – under three years: Mrs Plummer (Bronze), D. Williams (Silver), B. Adams (Gold).Haydon Allotment Competition – over three years: Rosie Laws (Bronze), B. Megson (Silver), M.S. Murphy (Gold).

It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards: Clandown Orchard Project, The Potting Shed and Writhlington Village Hall, Advancing. Connections’ ‘Dig-It’ group, Haydon Allotments, Haydon Community Garden, Meadow View Residents, St Nicholas CofE Primary School, St Nicholas Churchyard, SWALLOW Café and Community Garden, Trinity Methodist Church Gardens, Writhlington Village Hall Trust Allotments, and Writhlington Community School Orchid Project, all Outstanding. Westfield CofE Primary School and the Westfield Allotment and Gardening Association also achieved Outstanding.

Radstock was the only town that entered three businesses in the Tourism, Commerce and Industry category. Somerset Coalfield Life at Radstock Museum won Silver Gilt, Radstock

Co-operative Society and the Radstock Hotel won Gold.