Bloom judges are impressed by Barnstaple

Barnstaple’s best assets were on display as the town welcomed the judges for the annual South West in Bloom competition.

Respected RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) judges were given the grand tour by the volunteers of Barnstaple in Bloom, all hopeful the many months of work had paid off.

The town was sporting a wide range of floral displays in well-known locations such as the Square, the Strand, Queen’s Theatre and Butchers Row, but the competition these days is also hugely focused on the community and environmental side of things, not simply flowers.

Above: The RHS judges are given a guided tour of Barnstaple for the annual inspection for South West in Bloom 2024.

Last year the town won gold in its population category, the St Bridget's Cup, which saw it go up against Newquay, Yeovil, Portishead and Frome, with Yeovil winning the overall cup, but this year it is hoped to bring the cup to Barum.

Judges Ian Cawley and Tim Eley were given a town tour by Frances Bell, chair of Barnstaple in Bloom, as well as numerous volunteers who have spent the past weeks and months working to bring the town up to its best.

Of course the judges could not give to much away at this stage, but Ian told the Gazette it was his first visit to Barnstaple. He said: “I must have been here when I was younger but I can’t recall when.

“It’s just full of interest and apart from the flowers there’s a lot of history here and the flowers and hanging baskets are very good.”

Fellow judge Tim added: “There’s an excellent community spirit here, you can see that Barnstaple is pushing forward and really getting regenerated.

“I came to judge last year and I can see good improvements are taking place.”

One of the stops on the tour was at Green Lanes Shopping Centre, where Barnstaple Floral Art Club had a large floral display with the theme ‘Regeneration – breathing new life into the old’.

Above: Barnstaple Floral Art Club members Jane Davies and Jacky Bellamy with some of their club’s display at Green Lanes Shopping Centre.

All the main props had been thrown away or recycled and included items that reflected the town’s industrious past, such as Shapland and Petter style furniture, Brannam pottery and gloves and lace highlighting when Barnstaple was a hub for the lace-making industry.

Above: The display by Barnstaple Floral Art Club in Green Lanes was all about breathing new life into old things.

Frances Bell said she would like to thank all the volunteers ‘who worked so hard to make Barnstaple clean and beautiful for the judging day’.

She added: “The sun eventually came out and we had a great day with experienced RHS Judges Tim and Ian.

“The judges commented that they were made welcome and vowed to return as visitors to Barnstaple with family and friends!”