THE streets of Newent are once again ‘in bloom’ for the town’s annual horticulture competition, with residents and businesses having created an array of colourful displays to raise a smile this summer.

The winners of the Newent in Bloom competition were announced yesterday (Tuesday, August 9), with a host of awards given to community groups, individuals and businesses across the town.

The winner of the top award, the Supreme Champion Gardener of 2022, was Jill Street of 26 Lakeside, with a beautiful display in her front garden beds and hanging baskets (pictured).

Judge Ann Allen commented: “This garden looks amazing every year – it is very full & obviously much loved, and gives lots of pleasure to everyone nearby.

“How they’ve coped with the weather I don’t know but despite the drought this garden still looks amazing.”

Jill will now be presented with the Smiths Chartered Surveyors Perpetual Cup and a gold certificate at Newent Market House on Saturday, September 10 at 11 am.

A special Gold award, sponsored by Transition Newent, was given to Forest School at Newent Federation of Schools, Ross Road.

Run by Mrs Hester Feld, the Forest School project gives every pupil at Glebe Infants and Picklenash Juniors an hour of outdoor education every week, rain or shine, “to engage young minds and hands in all aspects of nature and the environment.”

Best Commercial Premises went to The Recycling Shop in Sheppard Way, while the Most Pollinator-Friendly Garden was the new wildflower meadow at The Veg-Out Zone Community Garden in Broad St.

The Best Back Garden went to Ashley Mullinger at 1 Holts Terrace, and the Best Courtyard/Frontage was tied between 34 Stokes Mews and Toad Hall, Bury Bar.

Finally, Best Public/Community Effort went to Newent Town Council and Chamberlain’s Nurseries for planters in the town and along St Mary’s Church railings.

Newent in Bloom is a voluntary group affiliated to the Royal Horticulture Society, which aims to improve civic pride and community spirit in the town.

A spokesperson for the group said: “We would like to thank everyone who has entered this year.

‘‘It’s great to see our town looking so good”.