Gillingstool Primary School Head Teacher, Clive Riches, Deputy Head, Stuart Smart, Thornbury Mayor Shirley Holloway, members of the Thornbury in Bloom Committee and children from year 2 and 6 celebrate their winning of the West Country TV Cup for the Best

YOU'RE blooming marvellous - that was the message to Thornbury after the town struck gold in this year's Britain in Bloom contest.

Thornbury is now back in the floral premier league after winning gold in this year's South West Britain in Bloom awards.

 

Thornbury in Bloom organisers are delighted with the result despite being pipped at the post by St Ives in Cornwall.

 

The Cornish resort scooped the top prize - the Preece Cup - but only by the narrowest of margins.

"St Ives is in the running for national and European honours and to come as close as we did is a fantastic achievement," said Thornbury in Bloom chairman Judith Payne. "The judges said there was only a whisker separating us."

 

This year's contest was a particular challenge for Thornbury as it was competing in a new section containing floral big hitters like Ilfracombe, Sidmouth and Seaton.

 

"We were up against 12 others towns and we are absolutely delighted to have done so well against such quality opposition," said Judith. "The only thing we haven't got is a cup for the bubbly - but that might come next year.

 

"The result is a credit to the town and we want to say thank you to everyone who supported Thornbury in Bloom in 2005, particularly the new business sponsors who came on board this year for the first time. It has been a marvellous effort."

 

This year's competiton had a "grow your own" theme and Thornbury's cause was greatly assisted by the gardening endeavours of pupils at Gillingstool Primary School. The youngsters tend their own allotment, producing vegetables for healthy school lunches.

 

The school, whose young gardeners receive advice and support from experienced allotment holders Nick and Maggie Large, won the West Country TV cup for special community projects, beating off competition from across the entire South West region and also claimed a Royal Horticultural Society Grow Your Own award.

 

Meanwhile, plans are well in hand for this year's annual Thornbury in Bloom presentation and social evening in the Armstrong Hall on Friday, September 23.

 

Trophies and awards will be presented by town mayor Cllr Shirley Holloway and committee members and local horticultural experts will be on hand to discuss and advise on "in bloom" matters and receive suggestions for next year's displays.