Success for Yate, Dodington and Chipping Sodbury in Bloom entries

In its first ever entry, Yate and West Dodington in Bloom scooped a silver award in the St Bridget’s Cup alongside other towns such as Trowbridge and Portishead.

The combined effort of Yate and Dodington was also rewarded with three community awards for a garden within Kingsgate Park, planted by St Jacob’s Well Church, wild meadow planting at Ridgewood Community Centre and a garden created by pupils at Abbotswood Primary School. The school also won a separate award for its composting scheme.

Dodington parish councillor and committee member Christine Howard said the awards were a fantastic start in the competition.

"We are over the moon," she told the Gazette. "This was our first year and to get a silver award was excellent."

Yate and Dodington’s entry was paid a special mention by judge John Wheatley during an awards ceremony in Cornwall last week, who told the committee involving different community groups had paid dividends.

Added Cllr Howard: "We didn’t have much blooming what with the Tesco development in Yate Shopping Centre this year but next year we are going for gold."

In Chipping Sodbury, the town’s second annual entry received a silver gilt award. It follows success in 2010 when the town won best new entry and a silver award.

Secretary Julie Bernau said the committee was thrilled to have moved up a ranking.

"We are very pleased to have moved up to a silver gilt," she said. "It is down to the very hard work of a lot of people and a lot of support from local organisations particularly Sodbury Town Council, the town trusts and Dodington Parish Council. We would still like a few more people to help us though.

"A lot of people have said they noticed a difference this year and we are committed to making the best of our surroundings and involving the community."

Next year’s entry will have a wellie theme. The committee holds a working day on the first Thursday of every month. Meet at 10am outside the Baptist church.