TAVISTOCK received high praise in the Royal Horticultural Society’s South West Britain in Bloom competition — it’s most successful year to date.

The town has been awarded two silver gilts for its BID (Business Improvement District) entry and the Sargent Cup for the overall town, as well as high marks for the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ competition.

Both entries were judged on the horticulture in the town and surrounding areas and its identity, as well as the environment of the town, community involvement and year-round activity.

This year saw Tavistock’s re-entry into the main competitions of Britain in Bloom as well as several changes that were made by the new bloom co-ordinators — Jacqui Orange, Tavistock Town Council, Janna Sanders, Tavistock BID, and Ali Sedgwick from Tavistock Community Gardening — and Tavistock was judged by RHS staff in early July.

Much of the planting around Tavistock this year took inspiration from the Lions’ Carnival theme of children’s books and the judges said that they ‘loved the idea’. One said: ‘This is a very original and imaginative concept which worked well.’

At an awards ceremony held in Newquay early in October, the bloom co-ordinators heard that they had secured gold marks for both the town environment and community, had secured silver for its planted areas and seasonal displays, but missed out on gold for the Sargent Cup by just one mark.

The judges for the BID entry were enthusiastic about the town environment and community involvement saying the town was ‘justly proud’ of its heritage, the BID was ‘very informative’ about its iconic stone buildings and that they’d met many inspirational and enthusiastic volunteers during the tour.

BID manager Janna Sanders said: ‘It has been our most successful year to date. None of this would have been possible without the support of Ali Sedgewick, Jacqui Orange, Tidy Tavi and all the other local community groups that make this town so special.

‘A lot of hard work went into our entries this year and we are all really proud of what we have achieved. The impact these awards have on the town are real. They create a sense of pride in the community, they have a social impact creating a positive environment in the town centre. Locals stay and visitors are attracted to spend time here, bringing economic benefit to the town and encouraging investment.’

When the theme was decided earlier this year, Harry Potter was one of the favourites. Harry Potter author J K Rowling kindly gave the team permission to market its ‘unusual plants’ as the Harry Potter Collection, at the Garden Festival, in May, as a fundraiser for the competition next year.

Ali Sedgewick said: ‘Our community groups who had entered the “It’s Your Neighbourhood” competition were more successful than in previous years. Tavistock Community Sensory Garden, Tidy Tavi and The Green Burial Ground’s wildflower meadow were awarded “outstanding” certificates, the top grade. Tavistock Museum, Westmoor Vets, the Pop-up Allotment, the Edible Cottage Garden and canal beds were awarded “thriving”, level 4 out of 5 and the St Rumon’s Gardening Club achieved “Advancing” level 3 after a short, ten weeks of enthusiasm.’

The team was surprised to learn that its portfolio and Harry Potter planters were entered into the Judges’ Discretionary Awards with its portfolio winning.

A local awards ceremony was held in Tavistock on Tuesday, where town Mayor Anne Johnson presented the awards to the local entries.