Torbay’s winners in the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom South West competition have been announced, as well as the winners of the RHS’s It’s Your Neighbourhood awards 2022.
Local volunteers and community groups worked hard to enhance the Bay with their parks and gardens, with support from a dedicated team of gardeners and cleansing staff from SWISCo.
The Judges’ feedback was that they were particularly impressed with local volunteers who were passionate about their community, their environment and wildlife, and also praised the use of compost bins and water harvesting techniques at a number of sites. The Judges stated that the areas of sustainable planting were looking particularly attractive and provided colour, texture and interest for visitors and insects. They also singled out for praise Torbay using pollinator patches to attract bees and the participation in the Blue Heart campaign – which is where some sites the grass is left longer to help increase biodiversity and help tackle climate change.
Steve Darling, Leader of Torbay Council, said: “Well done to all the In Bloom winners in Torbay and thank you to everyone who took part – you are all helping make Torbay a place to be proud of.”
Councillor Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Culture, said: “I would like to pass on my congratulations to all the winners in Torbay for their great efforts – and to all those who entered the competition. We are proud of all the hard work local volunteers have put into making the Bay look beautiful, with support from the staff at SWISCo.”
Tim Eley who Co-ordinates Torbay’s entries into the competition and is Chair of Oldway Gardens Volunteer Group said, “A fantastic set of results for Torbay in this year’s South West in Bloom competition. Well done everybody and thanks for all your help in achieving these results. It is especially pleasing to see the public sector working with the private sector voluntary groups and shows what can be achieved”.
Due to all the hard work and dedication from all parties involved, next year Torquay will be entered into the Champion of Champions RHS In Bloom competition. SWISCo Parks Team will be looking at more innovative sustainable ways of improving their flower beds and borders, along with the continuation of working in partnership with local volunteers and community groups.
Britain in Bloom South West Results
Main competition
- Torquay in Bloom Gold Award and Winner of the Tesco Cup
- Babbacombe Bay in Bloom Gold Award
- Brixham in Bloom Gold Award
- Paignton in Bloom Silver Gilt Award
Businesses
- Model Village – Gold
- Cary Arms and Spa – Gold
- Babbacombe Inn – Gold
- Babbacombe Inn – Winner of the Shaun Cregan Trophy – Best Public House floral display in the South West
It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards
Torquay
- Torre Churchyard – Level 5 Outstanding
- Torre Abbey Gardens Volunteers – Level 5 Outstanding
- Cockington Rose Garden – Level 5 Outstanding
- Cricketfield Community Garden – Level 4 Thriving
- Edible Earth – Level 4 Thriving
- Friends of Upton Park – Level 4 Thriving
- Friends of Torwood Coastal Area – Level 4 Thriving
- Turning Heads – Level 4 Thriving
- Friends of Stoodley Knowle – Level 4 Thriving
- Fort Apache Adventure Playground – Level 3 Advancing
- Kitson Park Shiphay – Level 3 Advancing
- Markham Woods Higher Chelston – Level 3 Advancing
Paignton
- Oldway Gardens Group – Level 5 Outstanding
- Friends of Clennon Lakes – Level 5 Outstanding
- Wild Fox Adventure Playground – Level 4 Thriving
- Shekinah Grow – Level 4 Thriving
- Edible Earth @ Westerland Valley Country Park – Level 3 Advancing
St Marychurch & Babbacombe
- Rose Garden – Level 5 Outstanding
- Millennium Copse – Level 5 Outstanding
- St Marychurch Precinct & Foxlands Walk – Level 5 Outstanding
- St Marychurch Precinct Centre – Level 5 Outstanding
- Petit Plot – Level 5 Outstanding
- Babbacombe Downs – Level 5 Outstanding
- Tessier Gardens Level 5 Outstanding
- Abbey School Level 4 Thriving
- Babbacombe Cliff Railway Level 3 Advancing
Brixham
- Friends of Furzeham Green – Level 5 Outstanding
- St Mary’s Park Friends Group – Level 5 Outstanding
- Indigos Go Wild – Level 4 Thriving
- Middle Street Community Garden – Level 5 Outstanding
- Moorings Reach – Level 5 Outstanding
- Yes! Brixham The Old Railway Garden – Level 5 Outstanding
- Yes! Brixham The Edge – Level 4 Thriving
