DARTMOUTH in Bloom supporters are crossing their fingers in hope of a 'double gold'.
They've just won their 24th regional trophy in 25 years, plus a coveted gold award in the small-towns category. Now their sights are set on national glory – and a crack at a Britain in Bloom title.
The Dartmouth committee has been entering the regional competitions with unstoppable success for the last 25 years and they have celebrated the silver anniversary by retaining the South West Travel Trophy for a sixth year.
Secretary Jane Joy, the longest serving local member with 20 years' experience, was joined by committee members Jill Bannister, Mary Catton and Christabel Cox when they attended this year's awards ceremony at the 60th Bristol Flower Show last Thursday.
The winning trophy, awarded for towns with a population of under 6,000, was accompanied by another Royal Horticultural Society gold award.
Dartmouth qualified last year for the 2004 national finals and is now hoping for another gold award to echo Kelly Holmes's twin medal success in the Olympics.
Cockahoop chairman Ken Goodwin said this week: 'We are now looking for a golden double. On September 23, I have to go to Leeds to see whether we have won the national title.
'It would be really wonderful to win the nationals because we have had all this success at regional level for 25 years. To get the final accolade would be really great.'
Dartmouth will be up against five other small towns, including Rye, Wimborne Minster and Frinton-on-Sea.
Dartmouth has been in the national finals about three times over the years, so Britain in Bloom glory would set a priceless seal on the town's tourist aspirations.
Meanwhile, the regional trophy is about to go on display at Moshulu in Fairfax Place. It will then be formally handed over to the mayor Cllr Richard Rendle at the annual Dartmouth in Bloom presentations at the Guildhall on October 20.
Mr Goodwin praised all the hard work of residents and supporters in smothering the town in floral glory and he singled out the role of South Hams Council parks supremo John Goulden and town manager Les Barnes and staff, who did such a wonderful job in sprucing up the Royal Avenue Gardens and cleaning the streets in time for the judging.
'It involved a huge amount of work,' said Mr Goodwin, 'and we had to collect a lot of money to finance the effort. Most of the towns taking part are council-led, but Dartmouth has to rely on a great voluntary effort.'
The Dartmouth committee also enjoyed another success in the children's floral poster competition. Eleven-year-old Kelsey Burford, who has just left Dartmouth's St John the Baptist Primary school, entered a pansy-and-butterfly picture in the 7 to 11 age-group and became the town's first-ever regional prizewinner.
Mrs Christabel Cox, who has been running the area competition for the past eight years, said that five local schools had taken part.