Melksham

With so many events unable to take place this year Melksham Town Council was pleased to be able to go ahead with the Melksham in Bloom Competition. The quality of entries was incredibly high and judges were very impressed. The prize for overall best garden went to Mr Arthur Ephgrave of Dowding Way, Bowerhill.

Arthur said, ‘I couldn’t believe it. I was so surprised! I want to say thank you to the organisers and judges for making it possible this year. We’ve had a bad time lately and we were looking forward to Melksham in Bloom, we look forward to it every year, I think everyone does. I had hoped to do well with the front garden because I put a lot of work into it this year, but to win overall, I was very happy with that!’

The judges enjoyed the opportunity to see all the gardens and allotments on the day. Saffi Rabey, one of the volunteer judges, said, ‘I was absolutely delighted to be asked to judge this year’s Melksham in Bloom. It was lovely to see just how much effort has gone into producing these beautiful gardens and I suppose in some strange way we have to thank lockdown for allowing us to be able to spend more time on our gardens. For me, it kept me busy and also fit both mentally and physically. Thank you to everyone who entered, it was an absolute pleasure to see your amazing gardens.’

Linda Roberts, Town Clerk, said, ‘We were always very keen that the competition should go ahead, as lockdown was so hard for many people. Melksham in Bloom gave everyone something to work towards and a chance to focus on something positive. We are also incredibly grateful to our sponsors, Lowden Garden Centre and Old Milestone Nursery, who have generously contributed to the prizes this year. It’s great when we can work with our local businesses to create something so positive for Melksham.’

For feedback or further information please get in touch with miriamzaccarelli@melksham-tc.gov.uk or call 01225 704187.

The winners are listed below.

Front Garden - First: Mr Ephgrave. Joint second: Mrs Songhurst/Mr Gale. Third: Mr Petty

Rear Garden - First: Mrs Cartledge. Second: Mrs Harding. Third: Mrs Saunders.

Best single tub/container/ basket - First: Mr Petty. Second: Mr Ephgrave. Third: Mr and Mrs Sandford.

Best Water Feature - First: Mr Ephgrave. Second: Mrs Cartledge. Third: Mr and Mrs Sandford.

Best Innovative Design - First: Mr Walker. Second: Mr and Mrs Sandford.

Best Commercial/Club/School - First: Waitrose Upcycled Garden. Second: The Manor School. Third: Avon Bowls Club.

Residential Home - First: Thornleigh. Second: Wharf Court.

Best Street - First: Mobile Home Park. Second: Church Walk. Third: Woodcombe.

Best Allotment - First: Tracy Wakeley. Second: Mr Cotton. Third: Stu Wakeley.

SUNFLOWER CATEGORIES:

Tallest Sunflower - First: Henry Holman (327.6cm). Second: Aksana Coxhead (276.8cm). Third: Raphael Jefferies (254cm)

Biggest Diameter of a Sunflower seedhead: First: Aksana Coxhead (38.1cm). Second: Henry Holman (27.9cm). Third: Raphael Jefferies (17.8cm).

Best Front garden Sunflower display: First: Henry Holman. Second: Aksana Coxhead.

All photographs are by Linda De Santiz

Mr Ephgrave in his winning garden. 

Mr and Mrs Sandford

Mr Petty

Church Walk

Mr Walker

Heather Songhurst

Waitrose Upcyced Garden - Jo Bayliss

Manor School Upcycled Garden

Mary Saunders 

Mobile Home Park

Mr Adams' Allotment

Mr Cotton's Allotment

Stu Wakeley's Allotment

Tracy Wakeley's Allotment