Award is blooming lovely

A town on the Shropshire border has scooped several awards and been named a runner-up in the Wales in Bloom awards.

Chirk came second only to Tenby in South Wales in the small country town category.

Llangollen was awarded a merit in the same section.

Individual successes saw Chirk Community Hospital win the best hospital award and the town's golf club, railway station and Chirk Marina runners-up in their categories.

Patients at the hospital have worked alongside the NHS trust gardeners and volunteers from the Chirk Hospital Circle of Friends to make the garden a winner.

"The gardens are an important part of the hospital, providing an opportunity for some of the patients to work in and grow fruit and vegetables," said Ruth Rees from the Circle of Friends. "We focus on the area that can be accessed by the patients."

Christine Ashford, a member of the Chirk Community Forum, which entered the town into Wales in Bloom, and railway station adopter said the station came second to the Welsh Highland Railway in its category. Llanwrtyd Wells received a merit.

"The team is a very small one but dedicated to ensuring the station looks good for all commuters and the many visitors to Chirk from the UK and overseas."

Residents at Chirk Court home, awarded a merit along with St Margaret's caravan park, have worked with staff and contractors to bring colour to the home's gardens.

Picture: Christine Ashford, of the Chirk Community Forum, and volunteer Chris Short at Chirk Railway Station, which came second in its category.