FOR the sixth year running, gardening enthusiast Bruce Petty has been named as the overall winner of Melksham in Bloom.
Competition administrator Lorraine McRandle said, “Judges as always were particularly impressed with the high level of entries, which made judging very difficult. It was great to see quite a few new entrants this year, several of whom came within the top three in their particular category.
“The prize-giving ceremony takes place at the Melksham Gardeners’ Society Flower and Produce show on 11th September at the Assembly Hall from 4pm.
“Thanks to Leekes and Whitehall for sponsoring the event by providing gift vouchers for the prize winners. Well done to everyone who took part.”
Bruce Petty said, “I was very pleased to have won the award again; I never expect to win, so I’m delighted. It takes a lot of preparation to make the garden look good but I love it. I find it very relaxing and enjoy spending hours in my greenhouse planting and preparing the hanging baskets. But my motto is, ‘What I can’t do today, I’ll do tomorrow’ – I don’t let it become stressful.”
The winners of Melksham in Bloom 2016 are: Best Overall Garden, Bruce Petty. Large Front Garden, Bruce Petty & Keith Jefferies (Joint). Small Front Garden, Arthur Ephgrave. Large Rear Garden, Bruce Petty. Small Rear Garden, Sylvia Booth. Best single tub/container (Domestic), Keith Jefferies. Best single hanging basket (Domestic), Mr & Mrs Sandford. Best Water Feature, Mrs Iris Fryer.
Best decorated site (Commercial), Bewley & Merrett. Best single hanging basket/planter/trough (Independent Trader), The Emporium. Best Window Display, Clarkies Hairdressers. Best decorated site (Pub/Hotel/Restaurant/Cafe), The Bear. Best hanging basket (Hotel/Restaurant/Pub/Cafe), The Bear.
Best Horticultural Display (School), Shaw School. Best Wildlife Friendly Garden (School), Shaw School.
Best decorated site (Residential Housing for over 60s), Brookside. Best hanging basket/trough/planter (Residential Housing for over 60s), Brookside.
Best Street, Mobile Home Park, Semington Road. Best Allotment, Stu Wakeley.
The winners and runners-up will be presented with their cups, prizes and certificates at the Gardeners’ Society Show on Sunday 11th September at the Assembly Hall.
To view the list of results including runners-up, visit www.melkshamtown.co.uk/services/flowers
