Seven members of the Radstock in Bloom team, led by Chairman, Sean Fletcher, travelled to the Winter Gardens’ Pavilion at Weston-super-Mare to the annual results ceremony to see if all their hard work had paid off in this year’s South West in Bloom competition.

The team were delighted to receive a Gold Award for their displays around

Radstock after a difficult year.

Jon Wheatley, Chair of South West in Bloom, opened the morning session by welcoming everyone – he then gave a fascinating, illustrated account of the behind-the-scenes at the recent RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Following Jon was James Alexander-Sinclair, whose presentation was entitled ‘Dancing through the Borders’. A Question and Answer session followed.

After lunch came the Presentation of Awards where Radstock in Bloom were pleasantly surprised to receive gold.

It is good to see the RHS South West in Bloom Competition re-instated after a break due to the pandemic. A lot of preparation and hard work went into making this year’s Radstock in Bloom the best year yet, with the community pulling together to win the top prize!

This year, Radstock in Bloom chose a colour scheme to represent the the rising phoenix, having bursts of oranges, reds and yellows throughout the town.

Councillor Bruce Shearn was thanked for his generous ward donation in the form of a new planter in Ludlow Court ‘Plaza’

during the summer, which helped to make the town look better than ever.

Preparations for the RHS judging included; a judge’s intinerary, a short presentation on what the group have achieved since Summer 2019, a thirty page portfolio and a

judging route to include allotments, community groups and the Writhlington Orchid Project, a now world famous enterprise project run by Writhlington School and Mendip Studio School pupils from Years 7 to 13.

Sean Fletcher, Chairman of Radstock in Bloom, said: “With help from the bubbles from the Radstock Brigade, we have completed the hanging baskets and planting displays and updated and refurbished planters.

“Dedicated bloomers have worked in town on beds and in Haydon on coaltruck planters and community spaces. Allotment communities have continued to improve their plots and space around them, and community groups and schools have been litter picking.”

Sean commented how the endless hours spent organising, planning and getting Radstock ready for the award brought its own challenges, but the thanks from the public and the community spirit made it all the more worthwhile.

He continued: “So, from all of us, thank you! For it’s you that drive us to first and foremost work to make the town a better place to live, shop and visit.”

More information on Radstock in Bloom can be found on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RadstockInBloom/