Malmesbury Town Council has revealed the winners of its colourful annual Malmesbury in Bloom 2025 competition.
Cllr Karen Drake, who is the chair of the council’s Community Engagement And Town Promotions Committee, presented cups, prizes and certificates at the Town Hall at a gala event on Friday September 26. The event celebrated the efforts of local people, including children, to add colour and vibrancy to the town.
“It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate the people who work hard to ensure our town looks beautiful with floral displays and fantastic gardens. All around the town are spaces, window boxes and hanging baskets which all contribute to a welcoming ambiance for all to enjoy.”
The top prize was taken by St Aldhelm’s Roman Catholic Church for their commitment to community gardening.
Judging the gardening competition once again was Piers Lavan, who runs Hortico Plant Centre, Sherston. He said of St Aldhelm’s Roman Catholic Church:
“This space shone with its town-themed colour scheme, great quality, public view and it was everything I want in a winner.”
Malmesbury in Bloom is an annual competition for the town’s residents, businesses and organisations to flex their green fingers out and create appealing, beautiful and engaging gardens or community spaces. The competition is popular with many individuals and organisations taking part as well as children who enter the art competition which runs alongside the awards.
Cllr Drake, presented the well-deserving recipients with their awards and celebrated the children who embraced their creativity by entering the arts competition. Judges for this were Rose Scanlon and Susannah Tennant. Also integral to the organisation of the whole event was Cllr Kim Power.
She said: “This year’s entries were of very high quality. Many congratulations to all of our winners and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part – and to anyone who works hard to make their garden or outside space so appealing. Please do consider entering your garden, pots or veggie patch next year!
“Also a big thank you must go to all the children who shared their wonderful art with us. There were well over 300 entries this year, with the youngest aged only three and four years and we were hugely impressed by everyone’s creativity. ‘Malmesbury in Bloom’ is a fabulous way for all ages to be able to take part in this special community project.”
The category winners of Malmesbury in Bloom 2025:
- Susan & Keith Player in the ‘Large Garden’ category.
- Sandra Podger in the ‘Street Area’ category.
- Paul Davis for Orchard Court in the ‘Commercial Garden’ category.
- Jen and Rob Stringer in the ‘Vegetable Garden’ category.
- Carrie Glass in the ‘Wild Garden’ category.
- Revd Janet Evans in the ‘Basket or Tub’ category.
- Debbie Cambray-Smith in the ‘Small or Patio Garden’ category.
- Shirley-Ann Collier for ‘Super Gardener’.
- Overall winner was St Aldhelm’s Roman Catholic Church.
Winners of the children’s art competition were:
- Ivy Webster (12 years and over)
- Lilly Ahmed (10 to 11 years)
- Sophie Newton (8 to 9 years)
- Basil Kingsbury (6 to 7 years)
- Harper Barrass (5 years)
- Harriet Ward (4 years).
The children’s art work has been on display in the town library across the summer.
Article by Jo Smyth, Word Worker
