LAST week some of the committee from Cannington in Bloom set off for Newquay in Cornwall with great anticipation to find out the results of the South West in Bloom judging back in July.

Cannington did not enter the competition last year as they felt they needed a rest year to plan some new projects and give the committee some breathing space to enjoy just gardening and ‘blooming' without the pressure of a judging deadline, so this year saw their return to the competition.

They had entered five “In Your Neighbourhood” entries and then the judging of the village as a whole.

The morning saw the IYN results and Sue Wand was there to receive them from Lord Julian Fellowes.

The URC church received a level 3 award – advancing, which is very good considering it is a very small space to showcase something spectacular. Moving on to Church St Residents and The Snicket, both received a Level 4 – Thriving award.

The Walled Garden Volunteers border, opposite the war memorial and The Clifford Lodge Residents both achieved the highest, Level 5 – Outstanding.

The afternoon saw the big event of the main awards. Cannington committee waited with bated breath as their name was called, anticipating the possibility of another gold award, as achieved in previous years, but it was missed by just one point and they were awarded a Silver Gilt, presented by the mayor of Newquay, Counsellor Craze.

Returning to their seats, anticipating that one of the other Large Village entrants would have achieved Gold and would win the category, they were somewhat amazed when their name was called as the recipients of The Cox Cup for the group with the most points in the Large Village Category.

No other group achieved a Gold award in their category. This year there were far fewer Gold awards bestowed as The South West in Bloom Division have, in the past 2 years, switched to judging to RHS standards, so a Silver Gilt is a great achievement.

The committee members returned with enthusiasm for the coming year and the impetus to gain that extra point and bring back Gold next year.

If anyone would care to join them and help them achieve this then please contact them via their facebook page - Cannington in Bloom or contact Dave Tomaney via email at tomaney@tomaney.com