What a result - Tewkesbury storms to victory in regional bloom competition
Enthusiasts are celebrating Tewkesbury winning a prestigious regional floral competition. It won the town category in this year’s Heart of England in Bloom event, the precursor to Britain in Bloom. Officials announced their decision at a ceremony in Warwick Castle, placing Tewkesbury above its category competitors - Stroud, Studley, Uttoxeter, Evesham, Leominster, Ledbury, Ludlow and Newport. It was a triple triumph for Tewkesbury because it won a gold award yet again and long-serving volunteer Pete Aldridge was given a special award. Tewkesbury in Bloom chairman John Badham said: “It is worth noting that we have had ten years now of gold awards and three times in the last four years we have been best in category.
“Perhaps it is also worth noting that we have consistently done better than all our local rivals - especially Ledbury and Evesham.
“For me at any rate it is great that this has been achieved in my last year as chairman.
“However, the judges’ comments about the glories of Victoria Gardens, the nature reserve and community involvement are largely the efforts of others. This is their achievement - not mine.”
Mr Badham said it seemed that Tewkesbury would not go on to compete in Britain in Bloom, with another town - Oswestry - being allowed to go through to the national event.
He was unsure why this was but said it might be for the best because his group’s limited finances and volunteer base would make it tough for the town to do well at the higher level.
He added: “In many ways this is a good outcome for us at the moment. To be in the national competition would have stretched us beyond possibly breaking point - twice the costs, twice the work.”
A highlight this year for the team has been being filmed for a new BBC Two fly-on-the wall documentary about floral competition gardening groups, which is due to be aired in spring 2018.
Tewkesbury in Bloom members will gather in the Watson Hall at 7pm on Monday for their own annual awards evening.