Last Thursday, 19th September, members of the Radstock In Bloom Committee travelled to Truro, in Cornwall, to learn what success Radstock had had in the South West of England In Bloom 2013 competition. The award ceremony was held in Truro Cathedral, with representatives from towns and cities between Bristol and Penzance, Devizes and St Austell, eagerly awaiting to hear the results.

The whole morning was taken up with the 'It's Your Neighbourhood' part of the competition which this year saw 550 entries, an increase on the 435 for 2012.

Radstock had two new entries, Radstock Co-operative Society Staff Volunteers and the Fromeway Inn, which also won a special award for best pub garden. Because of the way the It's Your Neighbourhood competition is organised through local committees, Westfield's two first-time entries were included with Radstock: the Westfield allotments and the Jubilee Garden received commendation. However, the certificates for outstanding achievement went to Haydon Heritage, Meadow View Residents, St Mary's CE Primary School, Writhlington Village Hall and Writhlington School Orchid Project. Perhaps the most interesting neighbourhood entry was a co-operative venture between Curo housing tenants in Fosse Green and Chapel Court, Clandown, and Cam Valley Wildlife Society, led by Cllr Deborah Porter, and the most impressive entry produced by RADCO staff in their spare time.

The many judges' discretionary special awards included an award for a school with international renown, Writhlington School's Orchid Project. The audience was asked to look up their splendid work on the school's website.

The whole community effort won Radstock a Gold Award, with the theme of the fortieth anniversary of the closing of the mines and the impact on the community predominating.

Radstock, with its 5,126 inhabitants, falls into the 'small town' category and this year they managed to beat Dartmouth to win the Ayre Cup. This was achieved by the whole community working together to clear the river, pick up litter and water and weed the floral displays. The Chair of Radstock Town Council, Cllr Lesley Mansell, set an example by spending hours watering the memorial gardens before the judges arrived. Indeed, little would have been achieved without the wholehearted support of the Town Council, as the Chair of the Radstock in Bloom Committee, Gary Dando, says. The committee is especially indebted to John Chiswell for the amazing hanging baskets and tubs.

Tribute must also be paid to Radstock Museum and Writhlington School for hosting the judges on their visit, Radstock Co-operative Store for practical support, Jo Milling (Chair) and the Radstock Traders' Association for the baskets and the Somer Valley Rotary Society for the Hope House Surgery flowerbed. The Committee also thanked officers of B&NES Council Policy and Partnerships Team and Simon Memory and the street cleansing team and last but not least, Radstock Methodist Church.

The group cannot name all the volunteers who did such sterling work, but the names of the community groups will be displayed on the website when it is launched next month. Meanwhile, the new year starts with preparations for the 2014 entry. Anyone interested in helping will be very welcome at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, 3rd October at the AGM in the Methodist Church Hall, Radstock.