Barnstaple in Bloom celebrates local gardening success

Hard-working green-fingered volunteers behind Barnstaple in Bloom have made a triumphant return, celebrating local gardening achievements at the RHS South West in Bloom Conference held at Bath Pavilion on October 8. 

After a 12-year hiatus, the community initiative has flourished since its revival in January 2021, showcasing the dedication and talent of local gardeners.

The event highlighted a range of accomplishments across various competitions, including the prestigious St Bridget's Cup, which received a gold award in Barnstaple's main town competition. 

The It's Your Neighbourhood competition also saw impressive results, with Barnstaple railway station and Barnstaple fire station both achieving outstanding level five ratings. 

The fire station also received the Westcountry TV Cup for the best project in the South West region, which spans from Swindon to Penzance.

Other notable achievements in the IYN competition included:

• Heppenstall Community Garden: outstanding level five
• Lampard Community School: outstanding level five, plus the Best Inclusive Gardening Award in the South West
• North Devon Hospice gardens: outstanding level five
• Barnstaple Bloomers WI: thriving level 4
• Barnstaple Floral Art Club: outstanding level five

Local businesses also played a vital role in the celebrations, earning awards for their contributions to the community's gardening efforts:

• The Park Hotel: gold
• The Imperial Hotel: gold
• Tarka Leisure Centre: gold
• GLT: silver

The competition judging took place in July, with a panel of judges including RHS’s Tim Eley, Ian Cawley and Su Maddocks assessing the entries.

Barnstaple in Bloom is hosting a presentation evening on November 13 at the parish church of St Peter and St Mary Magdalene in Paternoster Row, Barnstaple, where a buffet will be provided. 

The community is invited to attend to learn about volunteering opportunities or to enter their gardens into next year’s competition.

Interested individuals can reach out via email at hello@barnstapleinbloom.co.uk for more information.