Britain in Bloom judges praise ‘vibrant’ Sidmouth

The judges of the annual Britain in Bloom competition have very much enjoyed their tour around town this week:

Britain in Bloom judges praises ‘vibrant’ Sidmouth

PUBLISHED: 17:30 12 August 2017

Clarissa Place

Sidmouth in Bloom members with Britain in Bloom judges Ian Beaney and Teresa Potter. Ref shs 32 17TI 9123. Picture: Terry Ife

Sidmouth in Bloom is hoping to strike gold in the national competition.

Vibrant Sidmouth’s horticulture and volunteers have been praised by national contest judges. Ian Beaney and Teresa Potter, from Britain in Bloom, were full of compliments after taking a tour of the town on Tuesday led by Sidmouth in Bloom’s Lynette Talbot.

The judges began their visit at the Belmont Hotel before being shown The Byes, Blackmore Gardens, the town centre, the Three Cornered Plot and Connaught Gardens.

Mr Beaney said: “It was wonderful; a very vibrant town that is justly proud of its horticulture - it’s the only way that you could describe it, set in this absolutely beautiful coastline. The people that we have met today knew how to use horticulture at its very best and I think we will both leave with great memories.”

The judges also met the volunteers and groups behind successful community green spaces, such as the Chairman’s Garden and Beach Gardens.

Mr Beaney said the bringing together of volunteers to link into the community was testimony to Sidmouth in Bloom’s hard work.

Mrs Potter added: “The volunteers are very knowledgeable and really enthusiastic about their subjects, so you have different people with different skills who are really wanting to offer them to the community in order to be part of the community, which is really impressive.”

Sidmouth is one of 78 finalists going for gold in this year’s Royal Horticultural Society national competition. It is competing in the small seaside town category.

Lynette, Sidmouth in Bloom chairman, said judges noted the tidiness of the town, despite large crowds for FolkWeek.

She added: “They want to see the town active. They know in a town that has lots of guests in it, you would expect to see certain things like rubbish. We had people behind the scenes and you couldn’t see any rubbish, which is what the judges were looking for.”

Lynette thanked the Belmont Hotel for hosting the start of the tour.

Britain in Bloom judges praises ‘vibrant’ Sidmouth - Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

With a nice little video courtesy of the Herald:



National judges visit Sidmouth - YouTube
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