Deputy Mayor of Tenby and Tenby in Bloom chairman, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, will be hoping that everything in the garden looks rosy over the next few weeks as the famously floral resort gears up for a blooming busy season.

Launching this year’s Tenby in Bloom competition this week, Clr. Mrs. Lane has once again urged the people of the town to ‘be proud of yourselves, and what the town can achieve’ in a bid to ensure the town’s success in Wales and Britain in Bloom competitions.

Tenby took a break from the RHS Britain in Bloom competition last year, having won Silver Gilt four times in five years, but regained its Wales in Bloom crown after losing out to Usk the previous year.

“It was a record-breaking 30th Wales in Bloom win for the town which again qualified us for entry into Britain in Bloom,” explained Clr. Mrs. Lane.

She pointed out that in the last Britain in Bloom competition, the town only narrowly missed out on the coveted gold award. Asked what it would take to claim the title, she answered: “Everyone on board to help.”

A number of people answered Clr. Mrs. Lane’s appeal for volunteers last year, forming Tenby in Bloom’s ‘Town Beautification Team’ and turning up every week, in all weathers, to help with planting, weeding and generally tidying up.

‘These volunteers are Tenby in Bloom’s rock, but unfortunately, for various reasons, not all can help out this year,’ she continued. “However, we have recruited more volunteers who are doing things like looking after the Rotary Gardens, The Green, a sitting out area in Seascape, or helping to litter pick Penniless Cove and the harbour area.

“The criteria for ‘in Bloom’ competitions is steep. It is not just the floral displays, but includes environmental issues, street cleanliness, landscaping, conservation, recycling and public participation and awareness and the more people involved, even if it’s only helping to look after small areas, helps greatly.”

Clr. Mrs. Lane added that while Pembrokeshire County Council do their best maintaining the standards of the town’s public gardens and keeping the streets clean and tidy, it was no secret that continuing budget cuts are making it increasingly difficult for them to maintain things the way they, and the town, would like.

“This year, we all need to play our part more than ever,” she stressed.

Tenby in Bloom’s objectives are promotion, improvement and understanding of horticultural, environmental, eco and floral issues for the benefit of the general public while at the same time raising awareness and interest throughout the schools.

For the third successive year, the Tenby family of schools (those that feed into Greenhill School) have come on board and altogether, nearly 1,500 Tenby in Bloom posters have been delivered to the schools and local playgroups.

However, at the forefront of raising that awareness is the town embracing Tenby in Bloom competition and its aims.

“Please feel free to enter the Tenby in Bloom competition this year,” said Clr. Mrs. Lane. “There is a competitive element in that there are trophies awarded, but everyone has a certificate featuring their own floral displays and a silver, silver gilt or gold award to keep, so there is really nothing to lose. And the better your displays, the better the town’s Bloom chances are.”

Clr. Mrs. Lane is also urging all the people of the town to continue to maintain the high standards set over the past few years.

“The hanging baskets were a big success last year and every little bit helps,” she commented. “This year, we’re asking local traders to support us by having special window displays for the floral events.

“The pubs, restaurants and hotels always give their full support with their window boxes and hanging basket displays, so it would be great if other traders in the town could come on board too.”

She continued: “Our Tenby in Bloom competitors, too, are a real credit to the town. They work tirelessly year after year to provide us with spectacular results, and then allow our judges into their cherished gardens.

“We really admire them and urge them to keep on making Tenby a brighter and tidier place, and we’d like to thank everyone who has contributed again so far.”

“We would like to offer a big thank you to all our sponsors past and present,” Clr. Mrs. Lane added. “While local individuals, organisations and businesses that have offered, and continue to offer, their financial support, this year we are again delighted to see several local businesses like Crockford and Co and Kiln Park coming on board to offer manpower too.

“Unfortunately, the county council has had to cut its budget for floral displays this year completely,” Clr. Mrs. Lane added. “While the town council has stepped in to pay for this provision, we are also looking to utilise our own fundraising, through things like our weekly bingo, and our sponsorship, to purchase flowering shrubs for several floral areas to help reduce bedding costs and assist with ongoing maintenance, as this is a continuing problem.

“I am a little disappointed that more people are not coming forward to do a little more for the town, because so much can be achieved. Just look at what Tenby in Bloom and the guest house owners in Warren Street have done working together at the railway station. This project is now up for a national award and I urge people to show their support by voting for it.

“Our Beautification team is small and can only do so much, which is why I am so grateful to our new band of volunteers and to Crockford and Co and Kiln Park ground staff for their community spirit, but I would be interested to hear from anyone else who feels they may be able to spare manpower for an hour or so a week to help us out.

“By all locals, organisations and businesses pulling together in this way, we can show the world what we who live here already know, Tenby is a WINNER.”

Judging for the Tenby in Bloom contest will take place on Wednesday, July 6, while judging for Wales in Bloom will be on July 15 and Britain in Bloom on August 5.

Anyone who wishes to join the ‘Beautification Team’ or thinks they can help in any way with weeding, painting etc., is asked to please contact Clr. Mrs. Lane on (01834) 845680.