Dartmouth has won a gold medal and the Ayre cup, awarded to towns with a population under 6,000, in the South West in Bloom Awards. A team of members of Dartmouth Green Partnerships attended the awards event at Taunton County Cricket Ground.

Dartmouth Brownies were awarded a SWIB Specific Project Award and the West Country TV Cup for their ‘outstanding effort’ in helping plant the town’s 114 hanging baskets. DGP Chairman, Stevie Rogers accepted the award on their behalf, presented by SWIB patron and guest of honour Lord Julian Fellowes, of Downton Abbey fame).

Dartmouth was nominated for an award for Exceptional Community effort for a Specific Project, for the English Cottage Garden and the town’s hanging baskets. Another nomination was the Dart Marina Hotel for the Best Business Floral Display.

Awards made for Its Your Neighbourhood entries were as follows:

Dartmouth Greenhouse and Potager – Outstanding

Foss Street/Anzac Street – Outstanding

Higher Street / Smith Street – Outstanding

Milton Lane Allotments – Outstanding

Royal Avenue Gardens – Outstanding

Old Market Square – Outstanding

Coombe Terrace – Outstanding

Community Orchard – Thriving

Academy Children’s Britannia Dinghy – Thriving

Boatfloat - Brownies’ Community Gardening – Thriving

Holdsworth House – Thriving

Old Dartmothians’ Floral Displays – Thriving

DGP Chairman said: We are delighted that the hard work by the community creating wonderful floral displays in Dartmouth has been recognised. We are particularly pleased that the efforts made by the Brownies in helping make our hanging baskets have been rewarded with their own cup.’

The judges said: ‘The concept of Dartmouth Green Partnerships, rather than a traditional ‘In Bloom’ group, works very well. It is well organised and provides an effective overview and co-ordinating body.

‘The use of imaginative and high quality permanent planting, together with annual seeded areas and the creation of themed features has reduced the need for extensive areas of bedding to provide seasonal colour and interest and this is to be commended. DGP has comprehensively embraced the principles of sustainable planting and is using this to good effect in providing long lasting and more interesting displays.

‘Plans to raise funds for the new pyramid greenhouse illustrate a forward looking attitude to keep this lovely Devon resort at the top of the tree in the South West and the attitude and involvement of businesses in supporting efforts is sure to keep visitors flocking to the town.

‘What has been achieved in Dartmouth is really an excellent example of community participation. The only qualification to this is the future cooperation of council services.

’All are aware of the reduction of council budgets, but it would be good to see a little more support for the excellent efforts from the rest of the community.’

The judges had noted that the cleanliness and quality of the street scene could have been higher in places, with better weed control.