AMATEUR gardeners and volunteers of all ages who helped Bovey Tracey win a Gold in this year’s RHS South West in Bloom contest and receive The Preece Cup for best in category have been honoured.

Those recognised in the celebration at Riverside Community Centre included members of Bovey Tracey Community Garden, Bovey Tracey Garden Club, the Community Kitchen Hub, Friends of Mill Marsh Park and Growing Space who entered the In Your Neighbourhood category.

Also praised were Brookside Tea Rooms and The Cromwell Arms for their business entries, as well as Bovey Tracey Academy Garden Club who triumphed in the It’s Your School category.

They were presented with certificates by Jon Wheatley, Vice Chairman of the Royal Horticultural Society and Chairman of its South West in Bloom Committee.

He said much of the inspiration for the town’s success began with Mayor Cllr Sheila Brooke, telling her: ‘Your efforts are phenomenal, your enthusiasm and keenness come through.’

He said the RHS had changed its emphasis in the competition to evidence of partnership working between residents, organisations, businesses and the council.

‘I want to congratulate you all on your community effort, community is the key,’ he said

‘I do believe if we’ve any chance of survival as a species, it’s through growing and sharing the information involved with that growing.

‘Because growing involves feeding and community partnership.’

Cllr Brooke extended her thanks and congratulations to all involved, particularly the school which, she revealed, had been a favourite with the judge.

She said: ‘He said the school was the real highlight of his visit, he absolutely loved it and was really impressed with the children’s knowledge and enthusiasm.

‘You’ve achieved a lot with those children and it will be with them for ever.’

She added: ‘The pride residents take in their parish is reflected in the community effort to enter South West in Bloom each year which has contributed to placing Bovey Tracey on the map.’