CREDITON in Bloom volunteers gathered in the Boniface Centre in Crediton on Monday, October 14, to give recognition and appreciation to the many local groups who have spent the last year cleaning and greening up their immediate environment for the towns entry into the Pennant Award of the Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom (RHSBIB) South West competition.

The RHS was established more than 200 years ago and sponsors the BIB competition.

It also initiated the campaign for school gardeners and offers free educational visits for school children along with engaging in scientific horticultural research.

It owns four large garden sites in the UK with the fifth garden under construction near Manchester which will open next year.

Here in Devon we are fortunate to have RHS Rosemoor, on 40 acres of landscaped land, which has been open for 30 years and is only 25 miles from Crediton.

The prestigious BIB competition is the longest running garden competition in the world and has been established in the UK for more than 50 years.

The regional group South West in Bloom is proud to have as its patrons, Lord Julian and Lady Emma Fellows.

Crediton Town Councillor and BIB co-ordinator, Michael Szabo, said: "It is important that Crediton is involved with the BIB continual improvement programme to raise the profile of the town while providing FREE positive publicity and encouraging the councils to clean the streets and parks so we have a sustainable, attractive, and prosperous town."

The foundation and bedrock of the BIB programme is the It’s Your Neighbourhood (IYN) Award scheme which requires volunteer led community groups to work towards the core pillars of Community Participation, Environmental Responsibility, and Gardening Achievement. In 2013 Crediton had one IYN entry, the Congregational Church.

Last year 14 groups entered the scheme but this year 18 groups entered. If any groups wish to enter next year’s scheme contact Michael Szabo by email at: [email protected] .

BIB judge, Paul Collier, from Exeter presented the certificates and six groups earned the highest level of Outstanding, including both Hayward’s and Landscore Primary Schools.

The town itself has been awarded Silver Gilt Award for the fourth consecutive year for entering into the Pennant competition.

Mr Szabo said: “The regional committee in the South West assess all entries to the higher national standard level which requires extra work and effort made by all the groups involved. The results show that our groups meet this challenge."

The towns entry is immensely helped by the dedicated volunteers such as Bert and Margeret Jewell, Eddie and Pat Sherwood, David Oliver, Nick Hastead, and Margaret Truman.

In addition, thanks went to sponsors who contribute to the programme including The Green House, Gilbert Stephens, Ashtons, Haines Watts accountants and Crediton Town Council.