Melksham celebrates ‘golden’ win in this year’s South West in Bloom competition

Melksham has once again triumphed in the South West in Bloom competition, winning gold for the fifth time.  

The town also celebrated other local successes, including the Conigre Mead Nature Reserve, which was awarded ‘Best in the West’, and the Community Larder, which earned a special mention in the environmental awards along with an outstanding certificate. 

The regional competition, part of Britain in Bloom, which is celebrating its 60th year, is run by the Royal Horticultural Society. Melksham was judged in July by Camilla Bassett-Smith in the Sargent Cup category. 

To mark the occasion, the town hall was illuminated in gold, and a commemorative flag was flown from the mast. A team from Melksham attended the awards presentation at the Pavilion in Bath, where the awards were handed out by Lady Emma Fellowes and two lady mayors. 

Terri Welch, a member of the Melksham Bloomers, praised the town’s community for its role in securing the gold award. “In entering the competition, Melksham relied on our brilliant community as well as horticultural excellence, and we were not disappointed. So many different groups contributed to this win—the Town Tidy days, the flag team, Melksham Town Council’s amenities team, Melksham Green Spaces, the Community Larder, and the Melksham Bloomers.” 

This is the fifth time that Melksham has won gold in the competition, after the town was awarded gold for four consecutive years between 2018 and 2021. Due to dwindling volunteer numbers, the town has not entered the South West in Bloom competition for the past two years. 

Local schools were also involved in this year’s competition. Pupils from Forest & Sandridge CE Primary School and The Manor School were invited to create artwork based on the Bloom theme. Rania Moghal from Forest & Sandridge CE Primary School came third in her age group, while Mehmet Sen from The Manor School received a special mention for his contribution. 

Several other locations and groups in Melksham, including Church Walk, The Flag Team, The Friends Garden, The Mobile Home Park, and Canon Square and Court, were also recognised with thriving certifications for their efforts. 

Terri added, “Once again, the great community of Melksham came together to show what they are capable of. Well done, and a big thanks to everyone for their hard work in keeping Melksham looking beautiful.”