Blaenau Gwent’s gardening stars have been picking up awards at this year’s Blaenau Gwent in Bloom prizegiving ceremony.
Celebrity judge Lynne Allbutt – gardening star of UK Style televsion and BBC Radio Wales – judged the Blaenau Gwent Council run competition for the second time in a row this year.
Lynne was at the ceremony at Ebbw Vale Insitute to see the winners, runners-up and those who were highly commended pick up their awards and address guests.
She says: “It was a difficult task judging the competition this year – there were lots of new entries and the standard was very high.
This year 130 entries were received – and 84 certificates were handed out.
For the first time this year there was a Junior Allotment category – The David George Memorial Cup. Bryngwyn Primary School in Six Bells and Glyncoed Primary School in Ebbw Vale were judged in joint first place.
Councillor Don Wilcox, Blaenau Gwent Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, was at the ceremony.
“Local people have worked hard to create some really colourful and vibrant displays which brighten up our communities and are attractive to visitors – especially those who came to Blaenau Gwent for the Eisteddfod this summer. Well done everyone and keep up the good work.”
Four special awards were announced on the day.
The John Evans Cup – awarded for innovation within schools – was presented to Glyncoed Primary School by the Mayor of Blaenau Gwent, Councillor Brian Thomas for the development of their school grounds.
The Nantyglo Cup was presented to Cwm Primary School as the judge’s reccommendation within the schools category.
The town of Brynmawr was named overall best town and winner of the Clay Jones Trophy – picked up by Brynmawr Town Partnership Board.
The Glyn Burchell Award to the individual or group who have contributed most to the competition was won by Mr and Mrs Dean of High Street, Six Bells for their support work around the Six Bells Miners’ memorial.
The full Blaenau Gwent in Bloom 2010 winners were:
Primary School
Bryngwyn Primary, Six Bells and Glyncoed Primary, Ebbw Vale (joint first)
Secondary School
Nantyglo Comprehensive
School Special Needs Unit
Bryngwyn Primary, Six Bells
Commercial Frontage
Emma Morgan, JP Print, Blaina
Commercial Entire Display
Gareth Thomas, Festival Park Shopping, Ebbw Vale
Industrial Site
Robert Wathan, Yuasa Batteries, Rassau Industrial Estate, Ebbw Vale
Community Street/Estate
Vernon Thomas, Plymouth Arms, Tredegar
Individual House
Robert Edwards, Gwent Way, Tredegar
Public House/Hotel
Mr Newtown, Nag’s Head, Tredegar
Open Spaces
Allyson Lane, Joint Day Care Unit, Abertillery Sports Centre
Public/private building
Glyn Swain, Woofington House, Tredegar
Allotment Group
Bishop Street Allotments, Abertillery
Allotment Individual
Mr Davies, Morgan Street, Abertillery
Junior Allotment
Bryngwyn Primary School and Glyncoed Primary School (joint first)
Special Features
Mr and Mrs Dean, High Street, Six Bells
Best New Entry
Phillip Williams, Gwent Way, Tredegar
Organic and Wildlife
Mr and Mrs Wall, the Old Morning Star, Ebbw Vale
