Exclusive by Alan Quick

CREDITON has been awarded the prestigious Silver Gilt Award for entering into the Pennant competition of the Royal Horticultural Society Britain In Bloom (RHS BIB) competition South West.

The award was presented at the Council Offices in Crediton, on Tuesday, November 8, by Michael Foy, BIB judge of 25 years standing.

Crediton was also awarded the "Best New Entry" Award prompting Michael Foy to comment: "a remarkable achievement for a first time entrant!”

Crediton Town Councillor Michael Szabo, chairman of the Floral Crediton committee, which oversees Crediton’s entry into BIB, said: "We want to build on this success next year by entering into the main competition."

Crediton also had 14 voluntary community groups enter into the "It’s Your Neighbourhood" ("IYN") Britain In Bloom South West competition.  Entries are assessed on the three pillars of: gardening achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.  Seven of these groups received "Outstanding", the highest level of achievement!

Mr Szabo added: “The IYN groups form the foundation of Crediton In Bloom and their individual dedication and commitment in caring for their environment and community, add greatly to the continual improvement of the Town and in helping Crediton receive positive and free word-of-mouth advertising.

“Participation in this event has increased every year since the first entry in 2013, contributing to an organic step-by-step enhancement of our Town."