Rewards for the people who made Bath bloom

Gardeners have been rewarded for their hard work in the annual Bath in Bloom competition.

The contest aims to encourage people to brighten up their homes, schools, businesses and community areas with flowers.

The community efforts also boost the city's chances in the regional and national sections of the Britain in Bloom initiative.

Prize-winners and runners- up were presented with their awards this week.

Among the winners were Martin Tracy of the Framing Workshop in Walcot Street, who won the cleanest business frontage with floral display section, and the Bath Priory hotel, which was judged best business premises with garden, while there was a special achievement award for Bernard and Jane Rymer from Weston.

The couple are at the centre of the organisation of Weston Flower Show and are volunteer gardeners at the Royal United Hospital.

Bath in Bloom chairman Barry Cruse said: "Because of the very wet summer, entries were slightly down on last year but the standards were still very high.

"It's a great competition and attracts entries from right across Bath and north east Somerset."

Results

Schools or other groups of young people – Paulton Junior School

Horticultural achievement by any community group – David Busby and the Friends of the RUH (joint winners)

Places of worship – St Dunstan's Catholic Church, Keynsham

Town or village – Paulton

Best allotment by community group or school – Monksdale Road allotments

Environmental project: community group or private individual – St Stephen's Millennium Green, Lansdown

Best horticultural achievement by a school pupil (aged six-11) – Lydia Grace Swanson, Radstock

Large garden visible from pavement over 500 square feet – Mrs C Davis, Southdown

Small garden visible from pavement up to 500 square feet – Carol Wilson

Area visible from pavement with container planting – Ian Critchley and Dr Henry Ford, Bath

Hanging basket visible from pavement – Joshua Smith, Southdown.

Best allotment by private individual – Dave Angell, Weston

All year round garden visible from pavement – Suzanne O'Callaghan, Weston

Large garden not visible from pavement over 1,200 square feet – Lindy and Christopher Wright, Bath

Medium garden not visible from pavement between 1,000 square feet and 1,500 square feet – Darren Hickling, Bath

Small garden not visible from the pavement below 1,000 square feet – Tina Cains, Hunstrete

Business premises with container planting – Meadgate Cafe,Timsbury

Business premises with garden – the Bath Priory Hotel

Gardens maintained by professionals – Homewood Park Hotel, Hinton Charterhouse

Best pub and garden – Cross Keys, Combe Down

Best pub without garden – the Stag Inn, Hinton Charterhouse

Cleanest shop/business frontage and pavement with floral display – The Framing Workshop, Walcot Street

Private winners award – Stephen Brook, Weston

Mayor's special award – Oliver Smith, Southdown

Community winners award – Greenhill House Cheshire Home, Timsbury

Business winners award – Ayrlington Hotel, Bath.

Chairman's special achievement award – Bernard and Jane Rymer, Weston.

● Record number of entries as show blossoms, page 42