Celebrations were underway in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge on Thursday (September 15th) after both towns won sought-after Silver Gilt awards at the annual Britain In Bloom prize ceremony.
Teams from both towns joined almost 500 people at a special ceremony in Newquay’s Atlantic Hotel where the good news was announced.
The Burnham In Bloom team – comprising Dave Perrett and Richard Young – received a Silver Gilt award in the Sargent Cup section. And Highbridge In Bloom’s team – consisting of Phil and Pam Lyes, Joyce Curtis, Bill Fisher and Ray Reddish – were also celebrating after scooping a Silver Gilt award in the Ayre Cup section.
The Highbridge team was also surprised to receive the Wheatley Trophy for the ‘most outstanding industrial site’, which was awarded for Highbridge Railway Station’s colourful blooms and decorations.
“It’s wonderful that Highbridge has retained its Silver Gilt award and that the railway station has been recognised in this way,” Mrs Lyes told Burnham-On-Sea.com. She thanked all those who helped with this year’s displays.
Burnham also received a number of neighbourhood awards, with St Joseph’s School Gardening Club and Hillview Juvenile Carnival Club awarded ‘thriving’ certificates, while Berrow School, Burnham Dreamscheme and the Friends of Marine Cove were awarded ‘outstanding’ certificates.
Burnham’s Richard Young told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The Burnham In Bloom team are highly delighted to have retained the Silver Gilt award for a second year running. It’s also great that the town has received several neighbourhood awards. We thank the local councils and all the residents for their support.”
Burnham and Highbridge Mayor, Michael Clarke, who attended Thursday’s ceremony in Newquay with his wife, Mayoress Maria Clarke, added: “Burnham and Highbridge’s bloom teams are a great credit to the towns. It makes you so proud when a strong community effort like this is rewarded with these great results.”
Our photos show (top) several members of Burnham In Bloom and (above) Highbridge In Bloom
