Powys town wins gold award in first ever Britain in Bloom final

A Powys town has struck gold in its first-ever entry to the UK finals of Britain in Bloom.

Llanwrtyd Wells was handed a 'gold award' in the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) competition, which celebrates community-led gardening and environmental improvement projects across the UK.

The town’s ‘Llanwrtyd in Bloom’ team also received a special highlights certificate from the judges in recognition of their outstanding horticulture, community spirit and celebration of heritage.

Marcia Flore, communications editor at the RHS, said: "The Llanwrtyd in Bloom team have been awarded a Gold Award in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom UK final, an annual competition that sees thousands of community gardening groups across the UK working hard to keep neighbourhoods and streets green, clean and thriving."

Judges visited the town in July to assess its horticulture, environmental practices and community involvement. They left commenting “you have something special in Llanwrtyd".

In their final report, the judges said: "A Britain in Bloom entry ably led by Georgie Perrett and Lynn Ball has brought this lovely Welsh village together to produce a rich diversity of horticultural and environmental delights.

"The gold for each section of Horticulture, Environment and Community and an overall gold is very well deserved."

Dave and Pam Barlow were also part of the Llanwrtyd team that attended the awards ceremony, in Rochdale.

A spokesperson for the team said: "Being one of 10 nationwide entries we began in January fundraising, designing floral displays, cleaning up the town by painting cleaning and mending, growing seedlings and planting .

"All these things were hugely supported by the whole community with 'Sort it Saturdays', galvanising the work and creating a sense of community pride."

The Llanwrtyd in Bloom team was one of 10 finalists from across the UK who competed in this year’s national finals, and the only Welsh representative.