Around 80 local residents were joined by Exmouth's Mayor and Town Crier, at Sun Lodge, Exmouth recently to spend a wonderful evening, (generously sponsored by Kings Garden and Leisure Exmouth), celebrating Exmouth in Bloom's successes in this their Golden 50th Anniversary year.

Exmouth in Bloom are very proud to announce that Exmouth has once more retained its reputation as the 'Town of Flowers' with their nineteenth South West in Bloom GOLD Award in succession, since the RHS took over the Competition in 2001.

In addition they received two special Discretionary awards: The Budge Shield for the Best Utilisation of Social Media, which was presented by honoured guest, Bloom judge/mentor Christine Fraser, to Marion Drew.

She also presented the South West in Bloom Alf Crouch Memorial Trophy to Exmouth in Bloom's Secretary Sharon Darton. The award recognises and appreciates the exceptional work and outstanding services that Sharon provides to the 'Bloom' cause.

Christine went on to present 11 South West in Bloom 'It's Your Neighbourhood' (IYN) awards to the following recipients:

Congratulations go to them all for their exceptional work to achieve such excellent results.

Hamilton Road Allotments (Outstanding), Lambeth Walk Local Community Project (Outstanding), Summerleaze Residential Care Home (Thriving), Madeira Bowling Club (Outstanding), The Swan Project (Outstanding), Bystock Pools and Mindfulness Trail (Outstanding), Manor Lodge Residential Care Home (Thriving) Waverley Road Community Lockdown Gardens (Thriving), Bicton Inn and Immediate Area (Outstanding), The Waterwheel Project (Thriving), Littleham C of E Primary School Gardening Club (Thriving)

The Local Gardening Competition Awards followed with Exmouth Mayor, Councillor Steve Gazzard presenting the certificates, cups and winners vouchers from Kings Garden and Leisure.

There were 9 classes this year, judged during July, all of which had to be viewable from the pavement due to Covid restrictions. There were 103 entries in total.

The Exmouth in Bloom Committee would like to thank and congratulate everyone who entered and those who worked so hard to make this event such a success.

Class 1. Hanging Basket/ Containers

Silver: A. Mortimer and N. Cox, Mr. and Mrs. Huntley, Exmouth House, J. Collier-Marsh.

Gold: E.Tant Manor Lodge, Strand Inn, C.Ashby-Crane, C. and L. Pearcey, P.West,

Gold: Scott Drive Church / Esteem Team

Highly Commended: S.Woodbridge, L.Wheeler, S.Wall, A.Urquiza, E.Tant, K. and B.Smith, A Mortimer and N.Cox, S. and M. Jepps, M.Hartley, E Drinkall, I. Allchurch.

Silver-Gilt: P.Abbott

Class Winner: S. Dombkowski.

Class 4. Front Gardens over 4m

Silver: Manor Lodge, M. Holman.

Class Winner: S.Rich

Class 5. With Wildlife in Mind

Silver-Gilt: L.Robinson-Pratt. Exmouth House

Class Winner: Mr and Mrs Coole.

Class 6. Display in an Unusual Recycled Item.

Silver: A. Sleeman C and L Pearcey

Gold: H.Taylor, D.Clarke

Gold: Cats Motel, Bicton Inn

Silver: Exmouth House

Class Winner: Summerleaze

Class 9. Community Effort

Class winner: Madeira Bowling Club

Winner: Strand Inn