The gold South West in Bloom flag flies once again over Devizes town hall. The town took a gold award in the South West in Bloom competition for the second year running.

Town hall staff were bubbling with excitement last Friday after receiving their award from Gardeners’ Question Time panellist Anne Swithinbank at the presentation evening in Weston super Mare the previous evening.

Hillworth Park, which has just reopened after a £1.8million facelift, impressed the judges, as did the floral displays in the town centre and on the big and small greens.

Carole Berry, the town council’s direct services manager, said: “All nine of our neighbourhood projects did extremely well, with Drews Pond Wood getting ‘outstanding’ again and Wansdyke Primary School ‘thriving’.

“Southbroom Infants School got a commendation on their very first entry this year and Nursteed Comm-unity School has also improved on last year’s achieve- ment. Well done to all!

“For 2013 we will strive to maintain our crown and bring on board some new neighbourhood projects and business involvement.”

For many years Devizes strove in vain to win a gold award, always being pipped at the post and having to settle for a silver gilt award. Then, two years ago, they invited representatives of community groups to join the committee of the Devizes and Roundway in Bloom committee. Increased community involvement did the trick and the gold award finally came to Devizes last year.

Among the 12 local groups whose input has made all the difference are Victoria Road Community Project, Waiblingen Way Residents Association, Devizes School Conservation Project, Devizes and District Allotments Association, Brickley Lane Residents Association, Nursteed Community Primary School, Wansdyke Primary School and Stanford Court.

The gardeners, businesses and community groups of the town will be recognised for their floral efforts this evening at the Devizes in Bloom presentation event at the town hall.

Mayor and mayoress Kelvin and Pam Nash will present awards to those who have won in the various categories.