GARDENERS, allotment owners, schools, businesses and voluntary organisations in Trowbridge pulled out all the stops for this year’s Trowbridge in Bloom competition.

The Residential category this year was extended to include Family Friendly Gardens, which received several new entrants and was won by Elaine Phipps in Hilperton Marsh.

In addition to the new competition, there were all the usual categories for Community Pride, Schools, Allotments, Licensed Premises and Churches.

Winners in the other competitions for the Residential category included Caroline Griffiths for best back garden, Reg and Audrey Gay for best front garden and Robert Scott for best window box.

Mr Scott, 57, who was also a runner up for best hanging basket, said: “I was delighted to win it for the third year in a row. I started preparing my window boxes in the middle of May.

“It is important they bloom just in time and they need to match and co-ordinate. I first started entering the competition with my wife in 2010 and after that first time we just caught the bug.

“One of my hanging baskets was actually stolen on the morning of the judging,which I discovered when I went to water the flowers. I reported it to the police and they retrieved it a fortnight later.

“I would like to dedicate the win to my late father-in-law who died the week after judging took place. I also want to thank my granddaughter Briony for watering the flowers while we were away.”

Winners in other categories included Gloucester Road Allotments, Palmer Gardens, St James Church, The Mead, Oasis Academy and Walwayne Court Primary Schools and St Augustine’s College.

Trowbridge in Bloom also worked together with the Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce to run its Pride in Business Competition this year, with judging taking place on Saturday (July 25) to coincide with the Charter Fayre and the Business Expo.

Businesses in the town were invited either to enter a window display related to the Magna Carta or a floral display in the colours of Henry de Bohun, Trowbridge’s Magna Carta Baron.

Jennifer Polledri, who is the chairman of Trowbridge in Bloom and helps organise the annual event, said: “Entrants in all competitions excelled themselves this year.

“Judges were impressed not only with the high standard and quality of the displays but also the enthusiasm shown by all those who participated in the many different categories. A special mention must be extended to both the Senior and Primary schools for their excellent contributions.”

Trowbridge Town Council and Trowbridge Community Area Future (TCAF) supported Trowbridge in Bloom and The Chamber of Commerce for this year’s competition, with all the winners invited to attend an awards evening at The Civic Centre on September 22.

A full list of winners in all the Trowbridge in Bloom competitions can be accessed on the Trowbridge Town Council web site at www.trowbridge.org.uk