Bridgwater & Taunton College’s The Walled Gardens of Cannington were joined by South West in Bloom judges last week after weeks of being busy supporting the village look bright and beautiful.
Judges Kim Parish and Richard Taylor were welcomed to Blackmore Farm and given a brief presentation from the chairman of Cannington in Bloom (CiB), David Tomaney, to highlight the past year’s activities and show just how far the group had come since forming in 2011.
Judges were also treated to trips to Brymore Academy and EDF’s Cannington Court before heading to the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the three-hour tour, the College’s Walled Gardens of Cannington.
The Gardens have classic and contemporary features such as; the ‘hot’ Herbaceous Border; the Blue Garden; the Sub-Tropical Walk; and a Victorian style fernery, among others.
There is also a Botanical Glasshouse where arid, sub-tropical and tropical plants can be seen and two smaller gardens within the walls (The Bishop’s and Australasian Gardens).
Horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility are the key criteria on which the village are judged.
This year, Cannington in Bloom, with the support of the Parish Council, has created two new flower beds with sustainable plants that will continue to thrive over the coming years as opposed to annuals that have been used previously. The beds have been designed to encourage pollinators such as bees, whose numbers have been struggling.
As well as this CIB has added new planters and another barrier basket, while five areas have been spruced up as part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Its Your Neighbourhood scheme which encourages participation by small groups.
David Tomaney, CiB chairman said:
I couldn’t be more proud to represent the village of Cannington, along with the CIB team at this year’s judging. Of course, horticultural recognition is important in this competition but more important to CiB is the friendships, teamwork and community participation that our wonderful village has demonstrated over the past year. Included in that is the support we have received from the Parish Council, Sedgemoor District Council‘s Clean Surrounds team, Open Gardens, The Brownies, all the local businesses and all the residents.
We have come a long way in the past nine years and the village is a better place for it. Well done everyone.
The results of the judging will be announced at the South West in Bloom Awards Ceremony in Newquay on 11 October 2019.
