THE great and good of Evesham celebrated the sweet smell of success in the town’s in bloom competition.

Presented by town councillor Diana Raphael, the driving force behind Evesham’s success in the Heart of England in Bloom national competition, the evening was a chance to recognise residents, businesses and organisations who had helped the town win a Silver Gilt award.

Coun Raphael paid tribute to companies like BHGS which funded the floral clock in the garden of the Almonry; Evesham Rotary Club which bought five large oval planters for Market Square; Evesham Civic Society that purchased tubs for the top of High Street; and the Vale of Evesham Commerce and Tourism Association which helped organise the competition.

She said: “We also had a lot of help from individual people in many ways, looking after the entrance signs into Evesham, dead-heading tubs in town, litter-picking and helping with the judging.

“And, of course, all those businesses which put planters and flowers around their premises and all the people who so lovingly planted their gardens and tended their hanging baskets.

“I must also mention the bloom committee as without them nothing would have happened.”

Among the many winners and runners-up announced at the presentation, St Richard’s Primary School took gold in the schools category, Mr Pickles, Mrs Lauer, Mr Beasley and Mr Lane all took golds in the hanging basket category, and Mrs Saunder and Mr Lane took golds in the front garden category.

There was also a special award in honour of flower enthusiast Robert Hutton which was presented to Simon De Montfort Middle School for its Battleton Brook project.

This has seen youngsters transform an area of wasteland into a wildlife haven, complete with bat boxes and bridges.

Coun Raphael said: “We felt that we would like to recognise Mr Hutton’s service and loyalty and our town clerk Frank Green has provided a trophy that will be awarded each year to one school for making that extra effort or doing something really special.”

Next year’s entry to the Heart of England in Bloom competition will have a red, white and blue colour scheme in keeping with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The full list of winners are:

Evesham Schools in Bloom - Swan Lane Primary (Silver Gilt); Vale of Evesham School (Silver Gilt); St mary's Catholic Primary School (Silver Gilt); St Richards Primary School (Gold).

Retail Premises and Public Buildings: Highly Commended Awards - All Saints Church; St Peter's Church, Bengeworth; Crooks the Barbers, High Street; Hampton Church; Hampton Post Office; Hampton Spa Stores; Moulton (Hairworks), Port Street; Evesham Methodist Church. Runners Up - Evesham Town Hall and Abbey Road Nurseries. Winner - Evesham Railway Station.

Hotels, Pubs, Clubs, Cafes: Highly Commended Awards - Angel Vaults, Port Street; Chinatown, Trumpet Yard; Hampton Working Mens Club; Oddfellows Arms, Briar Close; The Red Horse, Vine Street; The Royal Oak, Vine Street; The Trumpet Inn, Merstow Green; Word of Mouth, Vine Street. Runners Up - The Old Swanne, High Street; The Northwick Arms Hotel, Waterside. Overall Winner - Ambassador Snooker Club, Avon Street.

Services and Offices: Highly Commended Awards - Evesham Fire Station, Merstow Green; Gusterson & Palmer, Merstow Green; Merstow Green Funeral Home; Rooftop Housing Group, High Street. Runner Up - Allchurch Bailey, High Street; De Montforts Vetrinary Surgeons. Overall Winner - Clement Rabjohns, High Street.

Retirement Homes/Sheltered Accommodation: Runner Up - Ferry View, Boat Lane. Overall Winners - Yates Court, Evesham.

Hanging Baskets: Mrs S. Gardner (Silver Gilt); Angela Roberts (Silver Gilt); Mr C. Pickles (Gold); Mrs G Lauer (Gold); Mr Beasley (Gold); Steve Lane Gold - Overall Winner).

Front Gardens: David Watkins (Silver); Norman Smith (Silver); Wendy Smith (Silver Gilt); Mrs S. Gardner (Silver Gilt); Mr C. Pickles (Silver Gilt); Sandra Emms (Silver Gilt); Mrs G. Lauer (Silver Gilt); Mrs Saunders (Gold); Steve Lane (Gold - Overall Winner).