THERE was high praise for the people of Crediton, and in particular some of the groups who work hard to look after the flora and fauna of the town, at a presentation ceremony held at Old Landscore School on Monday, October 17.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a Pennant (Town and City South) Silver Gilt Award to Crediton.

It was presented by South West in Bloom judge Tony Moore to Assistant Crediton Town Clerk Emma Anderson and Britain in Bloom co-ordinator for Crediton, Mike Szabo.

It was an exceptional year for Crediton in the RHS Britain in Bloom It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards with 10 of the many groups which make up the Crediton in Bloom organisation receiving “Outstanding” awards.

It is the first time that Crediton has received so many “Outstanding” commendations.

The 10 recipients of “Outstanding” awards were: Landscore Primary School, Crediton Library Community Garden, Crediton Boniface Rotary, Sustainable Crediton Pollinator Group, Moffat Land Allotments, Friends of Crediton Railway Station, Friends of the Town Square, Exeter Road Gardener, Station Tea Rooms and The Turning Tides Another Root Project.

“Thriving” awards were presented to: St Lawrence Green group, Crediton Bowling Club, Friends of St Boniface Well, Green Fingers of Sandford, Friends of the Roundabout and Crediton and District Lions.

“Advancing” awards went to: Jockey Hill Gardener, Hillbrow Residential Care Home, Save the Housemartins in Westernlea and Crediton Age Concern.

Mr Szabo said that the efforts of those involved in Crediton in Bloom raised the profile of the town, encouraged councils to clean streets and parks and created community.

He said that the It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards encouraged volunteer led groups to clean and green up the area with community participation, environmental responsibility and gardening achievement.

The RHS Britain in Bloom judges Tony Moore and David Purkiss visited Crediton to complete their assessment of the town and groups on July 19.

They toured the town, visiting many areas, completing a very detailed report and marking it on horticulture, environment and community.

During the presentations Mr Moore said: “Landscore School is an outstanding school horticulture/animal care project with enthusiastic pupils and staff. What they are achieving is well beyond most school gardening projects.”

He praised the accessibility of the Crediton Library Community Garden and described the work completed to update Crediton Railway Station as “charming”.

He described the work that The Turning Tides Another Root Project had been doing as “very impressive”, adding that The Turning Tides had also won a discretionary award for enabling gardening to be “inclusive and accessible, with many health benefits”.

Of Crediton’s aim to achieve a Gold Pennant Award, he said: “Do keep your work going, you are so close to that achievement.”

He added: “The fact that you have so many ‘Outstanding’ awards this year means you are not so far away.”

Mr Moore ended by saying: “Well done to all of you, you have made Crediton a delightful place in which to live.”

Mr Szabo praised a number of people who contribute or have contributed to brightening up the town.

He thanked Bert and Margaret Jewell, Eddie and Pat Sherwood, Nick Hastead and Margaret Truman.

There was also praise for Pete Beale, a volunteer litter-picker who has done this around the town for seven years.

He also thanked Mark Ruddock for his work in tidying up an area of the town.

Sponsors he thanked included The Green House, Gilbert Stephens, Ashtons and Watts Accountants.

There was applause for all of these and special applause for Bert Jewell who explained that he was hanging up his trowel after more than 30 years of volunteering to look after flower beds and areas of the town to concentrate on his own garden and allotment.

Mr Szabo, who is also a Crediton Town Councillor, also made a shock announcement and said that he, like Bert, was stepping down as co-ordinator of Crediton in Bloom, explaining that he would be notifying Crediton Town Council of his decision.

He said he was “absolutely proud” of the town’s entries in Britain in Bloom competitions, had been involved since Crediton received its first award in 2010, thanking Britain in Bloom, SW in Bloom and all the Crediton groups and individuals who “really added a lot to the town”.

Cllr Szabo added: “To have 10 groups earn ‘Outstanding’ and another five earn ‘Thriving’ levels in the IYN campaign shows the level of commitment these groups have towards building a sustainable local environment.”