Chipping Sodbury in Bloom has been in competition since 2010. Now in to its ninth year, the team have been rewarded with another gold.

The ‘In Bloom’ competition is divided up into regions, with Sodbury and the surrounding areas all being entered into the South West in Bloom category.

Any number of groups can get a gold, silver or bronze award but the areas that receive the highest award are then eligible to be entered into the cups.

Chipping Sodbury brought home the Ayre Cup last year, before bringing home the aforementioned gold from this year’s awards ceremony in Yeovil.

Julia Bernau, one of the volunteers for the ‘Sodbury In Bloom’ team, expressed her delight at the fact the town had been recognised again.

“This award is for the whole town, we couldn’t do it without the fantastic support from the community,” she said.

“We always try to build on what we have and add more each year. Every time we try and do something a little different.”

Julia then went on to thank all those that had contributed to the competition throughout the year.

“Sodbury In Bloom would like to thank everybody that helped in any way whatsoever with this year’s efforts,” she continued.

“We had lots of help and it is always greatly appreciated. We are hopefully gaining a few new members this year, but as a team we are looking to include some younger groups for the future.”

There is also some exciting new developments for the town that is coming courtesy of the In Bloom team and Hanson Aggregates.

A new community garden behind the Sodbury Town Council office on the High Street is currently in the process of being developed.

Every Thursday, members of staff at Hanson’s go to the site and continue work on what will soon become a ‘public garden’.

“A representative from South West In Bloom came and had a look at the garden in its very early stages and awarded it outstanding,” Julia said.

“We weren’t expecting that sort of recognition this early into the process, so watch this space.”

“Our aim is to create a community garden that will be accessible to all and that any resident can use.

“It will need to be a garden run by the community, for the community.

“There are a lot of things happening, there is exciting things ahead that will benefit the area so ‘watch this space’.”