Sidmouth in Bloom awarded the prestigious Silver Gilt at the finals of the 50th Britain in Bloom

Last night, the results of Britain in Bloom were announced:
BBC News - Fifty years of blooming Britain's community gardens

The front page of today's Herald headlined the achievement of Sidmouth in Bloom in earning the town and valley a national accolade:
Latest local news & information in Sidmouth | Sidmouth Herald

And as the press have acknowledged, this successful bid was also thanks to the bequest made to the Sid Vale Association:

Legacy helps seaside resort win floral crown as Westcountry wins two golds in Britain in Bloom

By WMNlynbarton | Posted: October 17, 2014



The daffodils on Park Hill in Sidmouth, Devon which have bloomed thanks to Keith Owen's legacy

A dying man’s wish to see a beloved Devon resort bathed in a sea of colourful blooms has helped it win a coveted floral crown. Banker Keith Owen left over £2million to the elegant Victorian town of Sidmouth on the condition the money was spent on keeping it looking ‘beautiful.’

The 69-year-old Canadian, who was born in Totnes, changed his will to favour the Sid Vale Association when he learned that he was suffering from terminal cancer. In the remaining weeks of his life, Mr Owens, whose mother had lived in the resort, spoke to civic leaders about the gift, suggesting residents embark on a project to plant one million bulbs. His dying wish became a reality when the town's residents mobilised last Autumn to plant the first 178,000 flowers - more than 10 for each of its 15,000 inhabitants.

Now the generous legacy paid dividends when last night Sidmouth was awarded the prestigious Silver Gilt at the finals of the 50th Britain in Bloom, now run by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Legacy helps seaside resort win floral crown as Westcountry wins two golds in Britain in Bloom | Western Morning News

See also:
Sidmouth In Bloom | BLOG
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