Boosted by a Gold Award win in this year’s competition, members of Radstock in Bloom have their sights set high for the future.

Town Councillors heard from Guest Speaker, Sean Fletcher, Chair of Radstock in Bloom who spoke about the group’s ambition for the future. He congratulated the Town Council, community groups and volunteers from Radstock in Bloom, saying the Gold award had been “many years in the making.”

The Gold Award will now be on display locally for people to see. He said: “Now we have the Gold, we have to maintain it, win the Cup next, then Champion of Champions and eventually end up in the nationals, which is where we would really love to go.”

He added there were short term goals to improve on following the judge’s feedback – with the group in the process of adopting the ‘Co-op corner’ on the entry to Radstock and a wildflower area close to Victoria Hall.

The team would also like to increase membership and create a town community garden in future, with grants available. Mr Fletcher asked the Town Council to think about areas that a community garden would suit. He said: “We feel the foundations are here to turn Radstock in to a Champion of Champions and go beyond to the Nationals. But there are a few hiccups. There’s the Radco redevelopment that is coming, (disruption could be problematic in judging) however, that said, the Haydon batch being redeveloped is a big plus.

“So that just leaves me to say thank you to the Town Council, because it is your support that makes this all possible and we look forward to a long and prosperous partnership with you.”

As well as the Gold Award on display, certificates were presented to Writhlington Village Hall and the Writhlington Allotments.