EVERY year some of the very best gardens in Crediton are judged in the Floral Crediton competition, which is run by Crediton Town Council.

The town council chairman and Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Frank Letch, at this year’s prize giving ceremony, praised everyone who entered this year’s competition and suggested gardeners visited others to find out what they have done to see why they won.

Cllr Letch was helped in handing out the trophies by his grandchildren, Erin and Okan Zorlu in a ceremony in Crediton Council Chamber.

He said the competition was one of the highlights of his year because he would accompany the judges around all the gardens.

Bert Jewell, who was one of this year’s Floral Crediton judges, said: “Congratulations to everyone who entered the Floral Crediton competition. It was a real pleasure to see the different gardens, how they are maintained, what they were planted with and how sometimes vegetables were included.

“It was also good to see that some had plants that will attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects into the garden. Baskets and containers were fantastic and did the owners proud.

“Businesses were also judged but without the owners having to enter.

“Unfortunately there has to be winners and those who didn’t quite make it this time. Aspects of each garden were judged using a points system recommended by the Royal Horticultural Society.

“This includes health and vigour of plants, design of garden, maintenance, colour, integration of vegetables and long-term display.

“If you didn’t make it this year, don’t give up, enter again next year.”

RESULTS

Large Formal Garden: 1 Mrs Ann Macbeth, Southfield Drive, 2 Hillbrow Residential Care Home, 3 Mr and Mrs Crang, Threshers.

Small Formal Garden: 1 Mrs Christine Stevens, Westernlea, 2 Mrs Rachel Larkman, Willow Walk (front), 3 Mrs Juanita Lord, Churchill Drive.

Special Award for Plant Collection: 1 Mrs Ann Cann, Golden Joy, 2 Mr D Cann, Church Street.

Small Managed Natural Garden: 1 Mrs Weeks, Chapel Downs Road, 2 Mrs Rachel Larkman, Willow Walk (back),

Large Managed Natural Garden: 1 Mrs Margaret Tucker and Mr Derek Shapland, Victoria Crescent, 2 Mr and Mrs Bedford, Old Tiverton Road.

Hanging Baskets and Containers: 1 Mr and Mrs Snell, Barnfield, 2 Mr Ted Staite, Old Tiverton Road, 3 Mr Norman Ponsford, Park Street, 4 Mrs Tucker, Creedy Road.

Commercial premises: Large displays: 1 Crediton Inn, Mill Street, 2 Three Little Pigs, Town Square, 3 Crown of Crediton, Exeter Road, 4 Red Deer, Exeter Road.

Small displays: 1 Nessie’s Bistro and Delicatessen, High Street, 2 ATS, Mill Street, 3 Church View Car Sales, East Street, 4 Wetherspoons, High Street.