by Alan Quick

THERE were some surprises in store for some of Crediton’s best gardeners when the prizes for Crediton Town Council’s Floral Crediton competition were presented.

This was at a social evening held in the Council Chamber at Market Street council offices when the Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Frank Letch, presented the awards with his grand-daughter, Erin Zorlu (6) and grandson, Okan Zorlu (4).

Cllr Letch said that he and fellow judge, Bert Jewell, had enjoyed visiting all the gardens and thanked all those who took part in the annual competition.

He described Bert as a “mine of information” about the types of plants they saw in people’s gardens.

Mr and Mrs King of Old Tiverton Road received two trophies during the evening, for being winners of the Family Garden category and also the Mayor’s Favourite garden.

The Mayor’s Favourite garden trophy was given by Anne Hughes in memory of her late husband, Mike.

Certificates for the Boniface Allotment Association best allotment competitions were also presented.

The judge for these competitions was Peter Burks of Crediton, general manager of Fermoy’s Garden Centre, Newton Abbot.

RESULTS

Large Formal Garden: 1 Hillbrow Residential Care Home, 2 Mr and Mrs Crang, Silverdale, Threshers.

Small Formal Garden: 1 Mr and Mrs Stevens,  Cromwells Meadow, 2 Mrs Tucker and Mr Shapland, Victoria Crescent, 3 Ms Daly, Courtis Gardens, highly commended Mrs Lord, Churchill Drive.

Patio or hanging baskets and other outdoor planted containers: 1 Ms Bradley, Orchard Court, Searle Street, 2 Mr Staite, Karenside, Old Tiverton Road, 3 Mrs Heale, Churchill Drive.

Family garden: 1 Mr and Mrs King, Old Tiverton Road, 2 Ms Stevens and Ms Stone, Westernlea, 3 Mr and Mrs Traill, Churchill Drive.

Cultivation of alpine and unusual plants: 1 Mrs Cann, Golden Joy, 2 Mr Cann, Church Street.

Mayor’s favourite: Mr and Mrs King, Old Tiverton Road.

Commercial premises: 1 The Crediton Inn, Mill Street, 2 The Crown of Crediton, Exeter Road, 3 ATS, Mill Street, highly commended - Nessie’s Bistro, High Street and Church View Car Sales, Union Road.

Allotments: Barnfield - 1 Ann and Phil Smith, 2 Norman Snell, joint 3 Lynette Wilson and Maggie and Alan Stewart.

Exhibition Road - 1 Andrew Verney, 2 Dougie Traill, 3 Mr May.

Moffatts Land - 1 Mr W Stevens.

Best Newcomers - Barnfield - Julian Wild. Exhibition Road - Bill Craen.