Improvements which have been made in Prestatyn did not go unnoticed by a Wales in Bloom judge who visited this week to critique the town.
Judge Jim Goodwin arrived in the town on Thursday July 20th, and was given a three and a half hour 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.
Following a presentation by James at Blooms Tea Room on the High Street, Mr Goodwin spoke about the improvements he had noticed during the first part of his tour, which included a visit to; the Railway Station, where he met members of Friends of Prestatyn Railway Station, the Nova Centre and Prom; Barkby Beach; and Parc Bodnant.
He has been coming to Prestatyn to judge over the past 15 years and said he has noticed a considerable improvement since his last visit two years ago.
He said:
"I thought the floral demonstrations I have seen so far this morning are an improvement on what I have previously seen, and I was very impressed with the development of the orchard at Parc Bodnant. I saw this when it was first planted and it is coming along very well. I was also very impressed with the scrape (pond) which has lots of interesting wetland plants.
“The town centre itself is very impressive, there is no question that it has improved.
“Overall from what I have viewed so far today, I think what has been achieved in Prestatyn is environmentally very good, florally there has been considerable improvement, and with regards community effort and input this is excellent. These are the things that as judges we look for and these are undoubtedly Prestatyn’s three strengths.”
Mr Goodwin later visited the Hillside Viewpoint; Roman Bath House Heritage site; Tiny Tots Nursery, to see the grounds and the educational work that is carried out with children; Meliden Golf Club to view a wildflower meadow; Prestatyn to Dyserth walkway; Y Shed; Morfa Gateway; Coed y Morfa Allotments and Coed y Morfa Community Woodland, Wetlands and viewing platforms; Hedgehog Help Prestatyn; Ffrith Beach; and Coronation Gardens.
Chairman of Prestatyn in Bloom, Dr James Davies MP, said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome Jim back to Prestatyn. He has been judging the town for many years so can appreciate better than most what has been achieved here.
“It is crucial that Prestatyn, like all our towns, always look their best to ensure companies will continue to invest and that visitors enjoy a positive experience.
“Volunteers and various community groups work exceptionally hard throughout the year to achieve this and I am pleased that the judge noticed improvements made in the town since his last visit.
“We did exceptionally well in last year’s contest, being awarded Gold in the Large Town category, and also received a Silver Gilt in the Britain in Bloom contest, again in the Large Town category.
“It’s just a case of waiting now until September, when the results will be announced at a reception, which this year I am pleased to say is being hosted in Denbigh.”
