The efforts of community groups, businesses, residents and the local authorities in Prestatyn, to ensure the town looks its best, were praised by a Wales in Bloom judge last week.
Jim Goodwin, who has been visiting the town as judge for many of the past 10 years, returned last Thursday to judge for this year’s competition.
Wales in Bloom is a regional event that falls under the national Britain in Bloom contest, organised each year by the Royal Horticultural Society and designed to encourage community spirit and pride in local areas.
Prestatyn has been entering the contest for many years, achieved Gold in 2019 - the last contest to take place due to Covid - and came second overall.
Mr Goodwin was given a whistle-stop tour of the town by Chair of the Prestatyn in Bloom Committee and Vale of Clwyd MP, Dr James Davies, along with other committee members.
A presentation on all the work that has gone on in the town since Mr Goodwin’s last visit was also given by James at Bar 236.
Key sites or points of discussion for the judge included Prestatyn Railway Station, Nova Centre, Barkby Beach, Plastic Free Prestatyn, Vicarage Gardens, High Street, The Apple Cart, Pendre Gardens, Hillside Shelter and Statues, Roman Bath House, a residential garden in Woodland Park, Tiny Tots Nursery, Meliden Golf Club, Prestatyn to Dyserth Walkway, Y Shed, Morfa Gateway, Coed y Morfa Allotments and Coed y Morfa Community Woodland, the Hedgehog Hospital, Ffrith Beach Common Land, Victoria Road and Sea Road Gardens, Station Car Park, and Coronation Gardens.
Winners of Wales in Bloom 2021 will be announced later this year and whilst Mr Goodwin could not give too much away, he was clearly impressed by what he observed in the town.
He said:
“I’ve been visiting Prestatyn for around 10 years now, on and off, and have seen some great changes during that time.
“It is great to be back in 2021 to see all that has been achieved since my last visit. The floral decorations in Prestatyn are very good, also there is very little litter around, I was also impressed to see so many new businesses in the town and was particularly impressed by the Apple Cart and all they are doing to be as plastic free as possible. There is a lot being done across the board and those involved deserved much praise.
“Wales in Bloom used to be a floral competition, but now it is very much community orientated and we are looking at so much more than just the floral side. Litter, signage, tree scope, woodlands and a whole lot more now comes into it.
“We also have the It’s Your Neighbourhood (IYN) scheme for volunteer-led community gardening groups which are focused on cleaning up and greening up their local area.”
James, as Chair of the Prestatyn in Bloom Committee, said:
“It was great to welcome Jim back to Prestatyn and to showcase everything that has been achieved in the town since his last visit.
“I was extremely proud of the efforts by all the various community groups who really have excelled this year despite the challenges of the pandemic, and also all the businesses who went to great lengths to ensure that their premises and surrounding areas were looking their best. I thank them all and also the council workers, who once again have gone above and beyond to ensure that the town is looking spectacular.
“It really is a community effort and it is fantastic to see so many take such pride in their town.
“I wish everyone involved the very best of luck.”
