Green-fingered residents and business people are busy preparing for this year's Tenby in Bloom.

Taking place between July 5 and 12, the organisers are hoping that everyone will pull out all the stops to ensure the town will be in full bloom for the 32nd annual floral contest.

PRETTY AS A

PICTURE

Anyone who knows Tenby will have discovered that those who have visited the town once tend to return time after time. Perhaps this is because of its picturesque setting in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park; its golden beaches and its sense of history.

Famous artist Augustus John, who was born in Tenby, said: "You may travel the world over, but never find anything more beautiful, it is so restful so colourful and so unspoilt."

American writer Paul Therous found the same when he wrote: "It was odd that a place so pretty should be so restful - but Tenby is more than pretty. It is so picturesque it looks like a watercolour itself."

The impression of Tenby owes much to the fact that the mediaeval town walls and ancient narrow streets are adorned with brightly coloured floral displays in hanging baskets and gardens, both public and private. It is something that can be enjoyed by everyone, residents and visitors alike.

HIGH CLASS

Every year, the committee responsible for organising Tenby in Bloom encourage us to keep up the good work.

But sadly, last year, Tenby did not win its class in Wales in Bloom, an award it had scooped for the previous 12 consecutive years and 22 times in total.

But a campaign has been launched this year and hopes are high that residents and business people will help the town regain its crown.

The organisers of Tenby in Bloom Week, which is about to happen for the 32nd time, are also keeping their fingers crossed that there will be a bumper turnout of entries for this year's competition.

As has become tradition, the competition for floral displays has different classes for houses, hotels, schools, business premises and group displays.

New this year is a trophy for the best kept street (tidy, weed-free and clean), donated by the Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas.

There is a new class for the best display for guest houses or hotels with 10 rooms or less, with a trophy donated by Tish Rossiter, while the winner of the best beer garden display will receive the new Sheila Hawthorne Trophy.

Donations of £25 each will also be given to Tenby Infants School, Tenby Junior School and St. Teilo's to help them with their gardens.

Judging will take place on Tuesday, July 6, and entry forms are available from the De Valence Pavilion, the Tourist Information Centre, Tenby Library, Home Handicrafts in White Lion Street and Four Seasons Florist in Upper Frog Street.

The closing date for entries is Friday, July 2.

The prize-giving will take place at the Giltar Hotel on Thursday, July 22, at 10.30 am, with awards being presented by the Mayor, who is president of Tenby in Bloom.

Winners and runners-up in all classes will receive certificates, while the Serendipity Holdings Rose Bowl will be presented to the overall winner with the highest points.

POSTER COMPETITION

Look out for all the colourful children's posters for Tenby in Bloom which will be displayed throughout the town.

Around 600 posters have been distributed to schools in the area and the children are busy working on their artistic creations. The awards will be presented to the winners at their school at a later date.

WINDOW COMPETITION

The judges will also be having a 'walkabout' to look for the best window display in the town.

All shop owners are encouraged to join in the fun of the event and help create an interesting and attractive vista for visitors and locals alike.

Displays do not have to have flowers in them or have anything relating to Tenby in Bloom, but they will be judged on their merit as to the most attractive relating to their business.

The winner will receive the Soroptimists Perpetual trophy.

TROPHIES

By kind permission of Mr. Chris Hughes, the Bloom trophies will be on display in the window of T. P. Hughes.

THANKS

Tenby in Bloom is grateful to the many participants who have made the resort a better and more colourful place to live and more attractive to visitors.

FLOWER FESTIVAL

Also a popular part of Tenby in Bloom Week is the spectacular Tenby in Bloom Flower Festival at St. Mary's Church, from July 8 to 12.

The theme for the displays this year will be 'A walk to the kingdom of heaven' and, as usual, there will be musical items throughout the festival.

Floral posies in memory of loved ones will be attached to the pews in the aisles and choir stalls and there will be prayers each hour on the hour.

Always a great attraction, the floral creations can be viewed daily between 10 am and 9 pm , with the exception of the last day when the doors close at 6 pm.

Refreshments will be available in Church House from 10 am until 5 pm.

In addition, on the Thursday evening (July 8), there will be a concert at 7.30 pm given by local artistes, while on Sunday, July 11, there will be a United Hymns of Praise at 6 pm.

Proceeds from this year's Flower Festival will be shared between Macmillan Nurses and the Tenby ATC minibus appeal.