Community groups, businesses, and residents in Prestatyn and Meliden who had been working hard to ensure the area looked its best for the annual Wales in Bloom contest were on tenterhooks on Monday as the judge arrived to critique their efforts.
Judge John Woods, who has only previously judged Prestatyn once before, was greeted by glorious sunshine and was given a whistlestop tour of both Prestatyn and Meliden by Chair of the Prestatyn in Bloom Committee and Vale of Clwyd MP, Dr James Davies, along with other committee members.
Prestatyn won the best large town in last year’s awards, and the Prestatyn in Bloom Committee are hoping such success can be replicated in this year’s contest. Last year’s excellent results mean that the town is also a finalist in the national Britain in Bloom contest, the judging for which will take place on Wednesday 3rd August.
Wales in Bloom is a regional event that falls under Britain in Bloom, organised each year by the Royal Horticultural Society and designed to encourage community spirit and pride in local areas.
It used to be a floral competition, but now it is very much community orientated and judges look at a variety of things, including litter, signage, graffiti and flyposting, woodlands and a whole lot more.
Mr Woods, who was interviewed mid-way through his tour, said he had been "very impressed so far".
He said:
"It is lovely to be back in Prestatyn having only judged it once before.
"I have already visited many excellent projects this morning and seen some wonderful sights, including the wildflowers at Meliden Golf Club.
"I've also visited Y-Shed, which is an excellent business initiative, Coed-y-Morfa allotments, the Hedgehog Hospital, Ffrith Beach, and the Bath House in Meliden, where I was greeted by a Roman in a toga!"
He added:
"Wales in Bloom used to be very much about the floral contribution, but now it is broken up into three main categories, horticultural, which counts for 40%, environmental aspect 30%, and community effort and input which makes up the remaining 30%.
"One thing that has really stood out for me so far is just how extremely clean the area is. I've also been very impressed by the community effort."
James said:
"It was good to welcome John back to Prestatyn and to show him everything which has been achieved since he was last here in 2010.
“A lot of hard work goes into preparing Prestatyn and Meliden for this contest, both by the committee, the councils and the local community.
“We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved to date and have put a great deal of effort in to maintain our high standards.
“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved this year - the many volunteers, local businesses, and community groups. As always they have gone above and beyond to ensure that both Prestatyn and Meliden are in top form this year, and I only hope that their dedication and hard work is rewarded.”
The winners will be announced on September 9th.
