Caerphilly has been recognised for both its fantastic floral displays and public artwork following this year’s Wales in Bloom competition.
As part of the main ‘In Bloom’ competition Caerphilly town was awarded a Silver Medal under the highly competitive ‘Town Trophy’ category. The judge and Chairman of Wales in Bloom, Mr John Woods commented, “It was a great pleasure to visit Caerphilly and meet so many enthusiastic people from the community.”
Mr Woods took a tour of the town with officers from Parks Services and was particularly impressed with the barrier planters, residents’ front gardens, the permanent planting and the Green Flag award-wining Morgan Jones Park.
There was also recognition for the way the entry involved the community, Arriva Trains, local schools and the voluntary sector together with the way the council carries out its environmental responsibilities.
At the end of the tour the judge viewed projects and a video presentation from the Twyn School Early Years who have carried out a number of projects over the year to improve their school grounds. There was also a large number of other garden portfolios submitted by schools as part of their Caerphilly in Bloom entries.
In addition to the Silver Medal, Parks Services were delighted to receive a further award. As organisers of Britain in Bloom, the Royal Horticultural Society present a discretionary award linked to a particular theme. In 2010 the theme has been ‘Local Roots’ where the award recognises the entry that has successfully linked their floral entry to local heritage.
Mr Woods was impressed with the cultural links to the entry including the Big Cheese flowerbed, tree sculptures at Morgan Jones and Dafydd Williams Park, the railway murals at Caerphilly station / railway bridge and the restoration of the Eisteddfod Arch at Crescent Road.
The Mayor of Caerphilly Councillor James Fussell and the Senior Parks Officer Simon Beacham attended the 2010 awards ceremony, which was held at Cemaes bay in Anglesey.
