TAVISTOCK has been busy prepping and primping its streets and green spaces in the hope of achieving gold for the second year in the Britain in Bloom competition.

Judging day for Tavistock’s entry into the RHS Britain in Bloom competition will take place on Monday, July 11 when Bob Sweet and Christine Marsh from the RHS judging panel will visit the town to look at the hanging baskets, the edible cottage garden in Duke Street, the Rose Walk and the canal side bee friendly beds, as well as other areas of the town.

Tavistock in Bloom co-ordinator Alex Meads said: ‘The Rising Sun Nursery was chosen this year to provide the hanging basket plants along with the planting on the front and side of the town hall and it all looks great. We have a great town council watering team who are looking after our plants, getting out early in the morning to give the plants a seaweed drench. This should keep the plants happy and healthy throughout the summer. BID has provided funds for plants and watering and Morrisons supplied compost for use by the Tasty Tavy team. The efforts of everybody to keep the town clean and tidy and attractive is all part of our entry into the competition. The Tavistock in Bloom team thanks everyone who is involved.’

Tasty Tavy has been busy this year having just finished creating a pop-up allotment at the entrance of Tavistock’s main car park.

Generous spon-sorship from Abode has enabled Tasty Tavy to make use of a plot of neglected land owned by West Devon Borough Council. Tavistock Town Council workers dug over the eyesore and Tasty Tavy volunteers donned their gloves and prepared the soil for planting. Within hours, the pop-up allotment had been created.

The fruit and vegetables are now maturing and the site looks well-established. There is a variety of vegetables, planted in a grid system, sufficient to feed a family over a period of months with fresh, organically-grown produce. It’s aim is to demonstrate the benefit of growing food in a small space.

Tasty Tavy volunteer Sue Hepworth’s idea and design for the cottage garden outside the former Old Folks’ Rest Room began to take shape earlier in the year. The apple crates were painted and planted with an array of traditional cottage garden plants, all of which are edible.

Working with the Tavistock in Bloom committee, whose theme was chosen to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday and the Olympic year, the colour scheme of red, white and blue compliments the hanging baskets that are now in place. The donation from Abode meant that the design was not compromised by financial restraints and could be planted to match the original concept.