RETIRED gardener Fred Bond scooped the Residential Gardens Championship at Monday's annual Newton in Bloom awards at the town hall.

Fred's garden at 8 St Marychurch Road, is a picture and it also earned him the best large garden trophy.

He won the supreme class a year ago and this time around it went to Newton Abbot markets manager Mick Ford and his wife, of 124 Twickenham Road.

The Pen Inn took the supreme class in the Traders and Public Services section with the championship going to Hometeign House which provides sheltered accommodation for the elderly in Salisbury Road.

There was an extra surprise for house manager Teresa McInnes and three of her residents who went along to the presentation – they were awarded Newton in Bloom chairman Cllr Daphne Watts' special choice trophy.

'Although it is sheltered accommodation and many of the residents are elderly and some have disabilities, quite a few of the residents do their own gardens and thoroughly deserve this award,' said Cllr Watts.

She said the year had not been easy for gardeners with a cold start and then a long spell of dry weather but despite the difficulties there were some superb gardens and displays.

Cllr Watts reported that there was disappointment that Newton in Bloom's main sponsor Jack's Patch had dropped out.

She thanked Paul Glanville, of the Southlands Residential Care Home, Highweek, who had stepped into the breach.

'We decided not to enter Newton Abbot in Britain in Bloom this year. In 2010 for the second year running we received a silver and were really disappointed. For a town like this it is difficult to win gold because we are so spread out.

'I am looking for Newton Abbot to go back into Britain in Bloom either next year or the year after. At the moment we do not have enough community groups and I am appealing for help from groups to come forward to look after their own pieces of land to demonstrate how good we are,' she said.

There was also praise for the organiser of the competition Cllr David Howe, and special thanks to Geoff and Penny Hodshon, of Lea Park Nurseries, Bishopsteignton, who for the past 12 years have grown the plants for Newton Abbot, planted them and looked after the watering, and are standing down at the end of next month.

Cllr Watts presented Mr Hodshon with a bottle of wine and his wife with a bouquet.

'We have enjoyed it very much but there comes a time when young people need to take over,' said Mrs Hodshon.

Twice weekly during the season between 3.30am-8am Mr Hodshon goes around the town watering the displays. 'I will be able to enjoy a bit of a lie in,' he said.

The trophies were presented by the mayor Cllr Colin Parker.

Results:

Private Residents: Championship – Fred Bond, 8 St Marychurch Road. Supreme Class – 1, Mr and Mrs M Forde, 124 Twickenham Road; 2, Mandy Kyte, 12 Forde Close; 3, Alan Gibbs, 14 Beaumont Road. Large Gardens – 1, Fred Bond; 2, Linda Barr, 84 Queensway; 3, Mrs K Coomber, 6 St Marychurch Road. Small Gardens – 1, David Cooke, 2 Flete Avenue; 2, Penny Norman, 6 Carlisle Street; 3, Ferai Akyol and Heather Mather, 37 Kingskerswell Road. Town Terrace House Frontages – 1, Mike Allen, 25 Waltham Road; 2, 30 The Avenue; 3, Denise Lloyd, 10 Pomeroy Road. Best Hanging Basket and/or Container – 1, Mr and Mrs Gibbs, 14 Beaumont Road; 2, Fred Bond; 3, Linda Barr. Nominated Town Terrace – 1, Waltham Road; 2, Quay Road. Chairman's Choice – Hometeign House Residents.

Traders and Public Services: Championship – Hometeign House, Salisbury Road. Supreme Class – 1, Pen Inn; 2, Bradley Court, Highweek Street; 3, D and S Sewing Machines, 175 Queen Street. Licensed Premises – 1, Olive Tapas Restaurant; 2 Union Inn; 3, Wolborough Inn. Large Frontage – 1, Britannia Building Society, Courtenay Street; 2, Austins, 4 Courtenay Street; 3, W Cross and Co, 36 East Street. Small Frontage – 1, Debra Jane. Traders with Garden Layout – 1, Abbotsbury Dental Practice, 4 Abbotsbury Road; 2, Richard Holland, 37 Devon Square; 3, WBW, Church House, Queen Street. Places of Worship – 1, Spiritualist Church, East Street. Schools – 1, Bradley Barton Primary; 2, Decoy Primary; 3, Highweek Primary. Residential Homes and Sheltered Accommodation – 1, Hometeign House; 2, Gilberds House, Old Exeter Road; 3, D'arcy Court, Marsh Road. Best Individual Business on an Industrial Estate – 1, Dulux, Brunel; 2, Pilkington Marine, Brunel; 3, Firewatch, Brunel. Best Public Building – 1, Hele Park Golf Club; 2, Newton Abbot Racecourse; 3, Markets Office, Market Street.