THERE was praise for the Crediton community at a presentation ceremony this week when the town was presented with a Silver Gilt award in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom “It’s Your Neighbourhood” competition.

The ceremony took place in the Crediton Council Offices Chamber in Market Street, Crediton.

The RHS judges visited Crediton in July this year to assess the results of all the hard work carried out by the dedicated and enthusiastic people and groups which took part in this competition.

The judges were very impressed as illustrated by the following comments: “The community feel of the town is evident as you walk around, as is the pride of the community in the environmental quality and the parks and green spaces of the town”, “the Landscore School project is doing much to educate young people in growing food and caring for the environment”.

Britain in Bloom co-ordinator, Crediton Town Councillor Michael Szabo, gave a potted history of the Town’s participation during the last seven years, starting in 2011 when Crediton Town entered the Britain in Bloom competition receiving a Silver Level award.

After a gap year in 2012, Crediton entered the It’s Your Neighbourhood (IYN) competition in 2013 with one pioneering entry, The Congregational Church.

Following this the number of entries began to grow, with three entries in 2014, and eight entries in 2015 in the IYN category.

By 2016 there were 15 entries for the IYN competition and the town was entered for the first time into the Pennant Competition winning Silver Gilt and Best New Entry for this category!

In 2017, the Town repeated its success winning the Silver Gilt Award again in the Pennant competition and having 14 entries into the IYN competition.

Mr Szabo told the “Courier”: “This year, continuing the organic growth of Crediton’s participation in this prestigious and enjoyable event, 15 volunteer-led community groups entered the IYN Competition.

All the groups received an award certificate representing achievements at many levels including ‘Improving’, ‘Advancing’ and ‘Thriving’.

“Notably, three entries: Landscore Primary School, Friends of the Town Square and Incredible Edible Town Square Garden, received the ‘Outstanding’ level of achievement and the town itself, a further Silver Gilt Award in the Pennant Competition.”

Mr Szabo added: “Providing the town with the floral displays and watering them weekly is an expensive and arduous task.

“The cost is mostly funded by Crediton Town Council but would not be possible without the generous contributions of the following companies in Crediton’s business community: Crediton Homeleigh Garden Centre, The Green House, Gilbert Stephens Solicitors, and Haines Watts Accountants, for which the town is very thankful.”

He continued: “The National RHS Britain in Bloom Programme is a Continuous Improvement Programme helping the town of Crediton keep on track in maintaining its clean and friendly appeal to residents and visitors alike.

“Plans are already underway for adding more floral displays and increasing our level of participation next year.”

If any individuals, groups or businesses would like to take part or donate towards next year’s campaign, please contact Michael Szabo on 01363 775255.