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 you will find nothing more beautiful, it is so restful, so colourful and so unspoilt."

The 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."

This 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.

Tenby has won its class in Wales in Bloom for the last 11 consecutive years and 21 times in total. Now the Tenby in Bloom Week is about to happen for the 30th time.

Sponsored by Shearings Holiday Hotels, the competition for floral displays has different classes for houses, hotels, schools, business premises and group displays.

Winners of each class receive cash awards, £10 for the first prize and £5 for the runners-up, as well as, where appropriate, a trophy. Highly commended entries all receive a certificate.

Entry forms for all competitions can be obtained from the De Valence Pavilion, the Library, the Information Centre, and Home Handicrafts in White Lion Street. Closing date for entries is Monday, July 1.

Bloom week takes place from July 8 to 15, with judging taking place on July 9, and the organisers are hoping for a bumper entry, not only to mark Tenby in Bloom's 30th anniversary year, but also the 600th anniversary of the Royal Charter by Henry IV.

The prize-giving will take place at the Imperial Hotel at 10.30 am on July 18, with awards being presented by the Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, who is president of Tenby in Bloom.

POSTER

COMPETITION

Look out for all the colourful children's posters for Tenby in Bloom on display throughout the town.

Over 700 posters have been distributed to schools in the area and the awards in this competition will be presented to the winners at their school at a later date.

Winners were:

TENBY INFANTS

SCHOOL

Early years - 1. Katy Rossiter; 2. Liam Mills, 3. Luke Hartland; HC - Jake Davies.

Groups - 1. Teddy in Bloom; 2. Flower Power; 3. Wall Group; HC - Group Melyn, Crowning Glory.

Year 1 - 1. Katie Kangford; 2. Bethan Davie; 3. Matthew Storey; HC - Dylan Cole, Ieuan Jenkins.

Year 2 - 1. Lori Amos; 2. Jack Waring; 3. Jessica Morgan; HC - Bethan Rogers, Ryan Draper.

TENBY JUNIOR SCHOOL

Year 3 - 1. Eleanor Brown; 2. Scott Griffiths; 3. Molly Harries; HC - Scott Dedoncker.

Year 4 - 1. Nicola Whitfield; 2. Nicholas Hall; 3. Georgina Davies; HC - Jake Roberts, Deri James Issac, Thomas Williams.

Year 5 - 1. Penny Liddell; 2. Natalie Hunt; 3. Sinead Walner; HC - Sarah Birt, Jack Oakley, Mark Davies.

Year 6 - 1. Laura Bateman; 2. Eddie Duffy; 3. Lucia Fecci; HC - Jason Ronowitz, James Jones, Ben Edwards, Rebecca Griffiths.

ST. TEILO'S SCHOOL

Nursery - 1. Amy McGregor; 2. Luke Jones; 3. Hari Truman; HC - George Taylor, Safrya Rooney.

Ages 5, 6 and 7 - 1. Jacob Dent; 2. Channell Morris Clark; 3. Grace Brindley; HC - Kerry Bocock.

Ages 8 and 9 - 1. Rosie Brace; 2. Maxwell Randles; 3. Conor Keohane; HC - George Wright, Lauren Watkins, Brittany Wales

Ages 10 and 11 - 1. Ria Farrell; 2. Jodie O'Connor; 3. Jodie Fecci; HC - Liona Harries, Dominic Landrogin, Jane Baker.

The winning posters will be on display in the window of T. P. Hughes.

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 11 to 15.

The theme for the displays this year will be the parables and miracles of Jesus and, as usual, there will be musical items, together with song and verse, throughout the festival.

Always a great attraction, the floral creations can be viewed between 10 am and 8 pm each day, with the exception of Monday, July 15, when the doors close at 6 pm.

Refreshments will also be available in Church House.

New for this year, the Flower Festival will also see an 'Open' class for children, with youngsters able to use their imagination to create small floral displays for exhibition.

All exhibits are to be in place by 6 pm on July 10.

WINDOW COMPETITION

To mark the 30th anniversary of Tenby in Bloom, and the Royal Charter celebrations, Bloom organisers have also introduced a new window competition this year to encourage all shop owners to join in the fun and help create an interesting and attractive vista for visitors and locals alike.

"All shop windows in the town will be judged during Bloom week. Displays do not have to have flowers in them or have anything relating to Tenby in Bloom," said a Bloom committee spokesperson.

"All the windows will be judged on their merit as to the most attractive relating to their retail business."

TROPHIES

By kind permission of Mr. David Hughes, the Bloom trophies will be on display in the window of T. P. Hughes, along with the national Wales in Bloom trophy.

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