THORNBURY has struck gold again after being praised by Britain in Bloom judges.


Thornbury in Bloom scooped the gold award at a ceremony in Dartmouth on Thursday last week, with its community garden, near Turnberrie’s Community Centre, being named as one of the best in the region in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category.


The group’s floral display on the wall in Castle Court was also named one of the best in the region.


Judges, who toured the town in July, particularly praised the community composting site and the newly-planted ‘ring of thorns’ on land dedicated by Tesco.


Thornbury in Bloom chairman Guy Rawlinson said the gold award is a testament to the hard work given by volunteers and local organisations.


“What’s really important is to remember it is all about the community working together and making this achievement,” he said.


“We’ve received numerous gold awards now since 2008, and it hasn’t been a small group of people helping either – we’ve had a huge amount of support over the years from local schools, to businesses such as Essilor and Tesco, and the town council’s input.


“They have all helped to make the town so successful again. The competition is definitely getting tougher and if we want to consistently keep up this high standard of achievement we need this on-going support, or perhaps even more.


“Well done to Thornbury in Bloom.”


The group has won gold for a number of years and has also been recognised on a national level. 


Sue Aitken, from the Thornbury in Bloom team, added: “We had stiff competition in our group with golds going also to Sidmouth and Ilfracombe.


“Well done to absolutely everyone involved, from donating a few coppers to weeding the streets, it all counts towards our entry and the gold is for us all.”


The former head of the Royal Horticultural Society Show, Tim Eley, who judged the town earlier this year, said he was very impressed by Thornbury.


“It’s great to see so many volunteers involved in everything they’ve done,” he said.