Ross-in-Bloom Committee members joined Ross-on-Wye Gardeners, as well as those from other parts of the county, on the evening of Monday 20th September, at Wyevale Garden Centre in Hereford. This was the Annual Awards Ceremony for the Herefordshire & Wye Valley Summertime Competition, which took place in August this year.

A prestigious event, the competitions and evening are sponsored by Wyevale Garden Centres, BBC Hereford & Worcester and the Hereford Times. Mike George and Katie Smith did a marvellous job of compering the night. There was a very enthusiastic Gardeners Question Time with the gardening experts from all three sponsors. It was made even more lively when a guinea pig escaped from his cage, having decided this looked like a good evening and he would like to join in. A great cheer came up when he was finally captured and returned to his cage.

There are five categories in this competition - Best Front Garden, Best Business, Best Hotel etc., Best Conservation & Community Project and Best Village. Prizes for the first three placings come in the form of a Certificate and Voucher for Wyevale Garden Centre. First in each category gets £300, second £150 and third £100 - well worth entering.

Once again Ross did exceedingly well this year. Following on from two awards last year, there were three for this. In the Business Category, Mill House in Millpond Street, attained a 2nd place. In the Conservation & Community Category, Ashfield Park School gained 1st and the Quaker Ancient Burial Ground got 2nd. All recipients were surprised and delighted to receive their awards. Ross-in-Bloom Chairman, Jacky Bedford, said how delighted she was with these results, and hopes they will be able to continue their hard work for the years to come.

Chairman of Herefordshire and Wye Valley in Bloom, Trevor Swindells, expressed his delight at so many entries for this year. However he was disappointed in the number of villages taking part across the county - only six. This is a fun competition as well as a prestigious one. Herefordshire Council have been very generous in providing a cast plaque for the winning village to display on its green or in its village hall, and it would be nice to have more entries. Villages are also reminded there are two categories in the Britain in Bloom competitions. Again this can be a prestigious award for a village and bring in lots of visitors and publicity.

Any village or hamlet wishing to know more about any of the 'In Bloom' competitions please do contact the Herefordshire & Wye Valley in Bloom Vice Chairman, Lyn Tomlinson on 01989 563056.

Mary Sinclair Powell, Ross-in-Bloom

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