Melksham going for gold in South West in Bloom

ENTHUSIASM is flourishing in the South West In Bloom Committee as Melksham prepares for its entry into the annual competition with judges due to arrive this week. 

Melksham will be looking to improve on last year’s silver award and will once again be competing against similar sized towns such as Ilfracombe, Sidmouth, Corsham and Tavistock for the Sargent Cup.

The town has come together in recent months in readiness for the judges’ arrival on Thursday 17th July. A host of tidy town days has seen volunteers prepare the route to ensure the town looks its best. Many businesses have also joined in with Avon Cooper Tires showing their support by setting up a display of tyres and plants near the town bridge with the aim of making an impressive entrance to our town, while celebrating 100 years as a major Melksham employer. The Bear, Kings Arms and Waitrose have also made efforts to brighten the town with their floral displays.

The South West in Bloom judges will visit sites across the town including Conigre Mead, Church Walk, Aloeric School, King George IV Park and Bruce Petty, the Melksham in Bloom overall winner’s garden.

Bruce, who lives on St Michael’s Road, scooped the top prize for the third year in a row after impressing judges with his flowering archways, colourful arrangements and his commitment to maintaining a well-kept garden all year round.

The committee says, “We are looking forward to welcoming the judges to Melksham again as the  town will have a chance to showcase the work done by groups and individuals every year that make Melksham look fantastic.

“Many people and groups all work hard to promote and enhance Melksham as a beautiful and prosperous place to live, work and visit, as well as the many businesses and individuals who invest time, energy and creativity in their beautiful floral displays and gardens.”

Bruce Petty, commenting on his Melksham in Bloom success, said, “It’s great to have won the competition overall. The garden really looks great this year and I am very pleased with how the colours have come out and many people have been coming to my house to have a look.

“It’s an all-year round thing for me and it’s good to have that recognised at the end of it, although of course I do enjoy doing it.

“I am also very honoured to have the South-west in Bloom judges come visit my garden as part of their judging route of Melksham; it’s a real privilege and their feedback has been extremely positive.”

Bruce has won the competition six out of the past seven years he has entered Melksham in Bloom.

The competition had some new categories including best water feature and best courtyard area, with some split between residential, commercial and schools.

RESULTS

Best front garden: Winner: Bruce Petty. Second: Mr & Mrs Sandford.  Third: Mr & Mrs Dickenson.

Best rear garden: Winner: Mary Saunders. Second: Janet Carr. Third: Sylvia Booth.

Best single tub/ container (domestic): Winner: Bruce Petty. Second: Sylvia Booth. Third: Niki Green.

Best single hanging basket (domestic): Winner: Bruce Petty. Second: Patrik Bewley. Third: Keith Jefferies.

Best courtyard area: Winner: Niki Green. Second: Michael Clark. Third. Brookside.

Best water feature: Winner: Mr & Mrs Sandford. Second: David Brigg. Third. Mr & Mrs Dickenson.

Best decorated site: Winner: The Bear. Second: The Golden Fleece. Third: The Old Stable Market.

Best single hanging basket/ planter/ trough (Independent): Winner: The Old Stable Market. Second: Pearces. Third: DJ Bewleys.

Best window display: Winner: Clarkies Hairdressers. Second: DJ Bewleys. Third: Tourist Information Centre.

Best hanging basket (Licensed Premises): Winner: Waitrose. Second: The Bear Pub. Third: The Kings Arms Pub.

Best horticultural display (School): Winner: Shaw School. Second: Aloeric School. Third: Manor School.

Best hanging basket/ planter/ trough (School): Winner: Shaw School. Second: Aloeric School.

Best decorated site (Residential housing for over 60s): Winner: Crown House. Second: Brookside.

Best hanging basket/ planter/ trough (Residential housing for over 60s): Winner: Brookside. Second: Crown House.

Best street: Winner: Church Walk. Second: Woodcombe.

Best allotment: Winner: Alan Burden. Second: Trevor Large. Joint Third: Pat Goodship and David Evans.

Best gold floral display: Winner: Arthur Ephgrave. Second: Niki Green. Third: The Manor School.

Overall winner: Bruce Petty.