RHS South West in Bloom Awards

Wednesday, 5th October 2016

Susan and I travelled to Taunton on Wednesday to attend an evening reception hosted by Mayor Vivienne Stock-Williams and her Consort, Ian. We had already met them when we attended the Great Fire of London event at the Mansion House in London last month and it was good to meet again. Other familiar faces from across the South West were there and we also had the opportunity to meet Mayors from all over the area. This was essentially the prelude to the following day when the South West in Bloom awards were to be announced and presented.

Thursday, 6th October 2016

The feeling on Thursday was one of subdued anticipation as we all waited to see who had won what! This ceremony is very much the 'Oscars' of the gardening world and this feeling was strengthened when we learned that the awards would be presented by Lord and Lady Fellowes (he of Downton Abbey fame).

Of the twelve groups entered by Marlborough, we had achieved four top level results of Outstanding. After a lunch break we went on to collect the South West Tourism Association cup and a Silver Gilt award. Further reasons for celebration came when The Lamb Inn public house in The Parade won the Shaun Gregan Cup for the best floral display by a pub in the South West. A special award was given to the Marlborough Waterfront in Kennet Place as joint winner of the London and Manchester Trophy for the most outstanding environmental initiative.

We can rightly be proud of how well Marlborough did in this competition and it was a team effort, involving not only the Town Council's Grounds Team but also local businesses, shops and largely unseen volunteers who all worked so hard. Well done to you all.

More photos in our gallery and read the press release

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