Green-fingered residents and business people are busy preparing for this year's Tenby in Bloom. Taking place between July 6 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 33rd 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. The organisers of Tenby in Bloom Week, which is about to happen for the 33rd 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. Judging will take place on Wednesday, July 6, and an entry forms can be found elsewhere in this special feature. The prize-giving will take place at the Giltar Hotel on Thursday, July 21, at 10.30 am, with awards being presented by the Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter, 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. Hundreds of posters have been distributed to schools in the area and the children are busy working on their artistic creations.
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.
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 7 to 11. The theme for the displays this year will be 'The people of God' and, as usual, there will be musical items throughout the festival. 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. All donations will be given to charity.