Wales in Bloom Gold awards for Saundersfoor village and Tenby hotels

Saundersfoot resident Joanna Balkwill’s green fingers have seen her create floral glory at the front of her home.

“It’s a gem of a garden,” said Julie Davies, from the Saundersfoot in Bloom organisation. “It's a fabulous garden with a diverse range of planting, a riot of colour and spectacular dahlias.”

Joanna's garden features a riot of colour. (Image: Wales in Bloom)

The garden at Sunrise, Saundersfoot was showcased to the Wales in Bloom and Britain in Bloom judges when they visited the village last July.

And there were several blooming great reasons for Saundersfoot celebrsations at the recent Wales in Bloom awards ceremony in Abergavenny.

As well as Joanna’s garden being named Best Front Garden; Saundersfoot once again was awarded Gold in the Large Village category and - in a lovely surprise - Wales in Bloom Champion certificates for Saundersfoot in Bloom members Julie Davies and Martyn Williams.

Saundersfoot in Bloom's Champion certificate- winners, Julie Davies and Martyn Williams (right), are pictured with Wales in Bloom judges who visited the village in July. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

The certificates were awarded "for making an outstanding contribution to the Wales in Bloom Campaign by leading and supporting their local group members".

The prestigious Gold award put Saundersfoot at the top of the Large Village category behind 41-times winners Usk.

Judge John Woods said: “Saundersfoot had beautiful floral displays backed with strong public art with colourful renderings on all the street furniture and heritage elements.”

Saundersfoot's street furniture has been spruced up by an army of volunteers. (Image: Saundersfoot Connect)

The Saundersfoot contingent at the awards ceremony last Friday, September 13, were “elated” to strike Gold, said Julie.

The Saundersfoot  representatives at the Wales in Bloom ceremony - Julie Davies, Joanna Balkwill, Anne Lewis and Bev and James Bennett (blue bollard painter extraordinaire). (Image: Wales in Bloom)

Julie added: “What an achievement for the village - everyone who's been involved in some way or other in our entry should all be proud of the part they've played and know that we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to pull it all together.

The awards ceremony once again saw a father and son battle of the flowers at two Tenby seafront hotels.

The Giltar Hotel's proud gardener, Simon Rowlands. (Image: Giltar Hotel)

Simon and George Rowlands are both gardeners at hotels on Tenby’s Esplanade.

George tends the magnificent blooms, trees and plants of the Atlantic Hotel’s seafront garden, while Simon has created a quirky floral masterpiece on the façade of the Giltar Hotel.

George Rowlands tends the Atlantic Hotel's clifftop gardens. (Image: Atlantic Hotel, Gareth Davies Photography)

This year again both hotels were awarded Gold, with The Giltar coming out on top as winner of the best hotel frontage category.

The Giltar posted on Facebook: "We would like to thank 'Simon (gardener)' for all his hard work making the hotel always look so full of bloom."

Amongst other Wales in Bloom winners were: City – Wrexham; Large Town – Colwyn Bay; Small Town – Conwy; Villages – Llanmartin; Coastal Communities (population over 12,000) – Llandudno; Hotel Large Frontage - Bodelwyddan Castle.

Peter Barton Price, chair of Wales in Bloom said at the ceremony: "2024 has been another successful year for Wales in Bloom with us seeing even more entries and ever increasing standards.

"Our Judges and assessors have certainly been kept busy this year, travelling the length and breadth of Wales, meeting with a diverse range of people and amazing groups throughout their visits.

"You are all to be congratulated in the success and triumphs you have achieved and continue to deliver.

"Congratulations to you all and a very big thank you from all of us at Wales in Bloom."