Published: October 14, 2012
In photos: Awards ceremony held for Highbridge In Bloom winners

Over 100 people filled Highbridge Community Hall on Saturday night (October 13th) for the town's Highbridge In Bloom awards presentation night.

Certificates and trophies were handed out by Burnham and Highbridge Mayor Ken Smout and Sedgemoor District Council's Vice Chairman, Peter Downing.

Highbridge In Bloom's organisers Pam Lyes and Joyce Curtis received the town's silver gilt award from Britain in Bloom judge Tony Moore, the Mayor and Cllr Downing, right.

Mr Moore praised Highbridge for its "strong community spirit" and added that the Britain In Bloom contest "is not just a flower competition - it's about the quality of the environment and the community around it and Highbridge is to be commended for all its work."

'It's Your Neighbourhood' certificates were presented by Mr Moore to groups including Walrow Fishing Lake, the Friends of Apex Park, the Friends of Clover Way, General Higgins House, Southwell Crescent Residents and Southwell House Memorial Garden.

Over a dozen residents also received Highbridge In Bloom awards for displays in their gardens. The winners were Group of Houses: 1st A Burridge, 2nd John Shattock; Hanging baskets: 1st Colin Selway, 2nd P Ford, 3rd Shirly Adams; Small front garden: 1st A Burridge, 2nd Myra Spice, 3rd R Northcombe; Large front garden: 1st Shirley Adams, 2nd V Popham, 3rd T Searle. The allotments award winners were 1st Paul Hocking, 2nd Mr Bamber, 3rd Mr Cave.

The winners of the children's art competitions were named as Harriet Hobbs, Lilli Chedzoy, Paisley Criddle, India Adams, Sommer Andrews, Bobbie Theobold, Loren Tillam, Ruby Porter, Stephanie Archer, Kaya Rosemary Hill, Rosa Saunders, Kieran Hicks, Kyran Fordham, Josh Kirk, Sam March, Leannie Nicholls, Abigail Cooper, Kieran Biddiscombe, Ewan Murdoch, Courtney Gibbs-Jones and Kane Tuplin.

The Mayor's Cup was awarded to Harriet Hobbs, pictured above, who won a national award in the Britain in Bloom competition for her colourful painting.

He also presented a Mayor's Community Award to Highbridge In Bloom for their work in bringing the community together, adding that he'd been "incredibly proud and honoured" to represent the town at the recent awards Britain In Bloom awards ceremony.

Pam Lyes told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "We are delighted to have received a silver gilt award and a Mayor's community award - it was a superb evening and the team thank everyone who attended. Special thanks go to Cllr Ken Smout, Cllr Peter Downing and Tony Moore for their support along with everyone who entered this year. Our grateful thanks also go to all our sponsors - particularly Isleport Foods of Highbridge who sponsored the evening for us."

The residents with their trophies and certificates

The Highbridge In Bloom committee with their community award

Allotments winner Paul Hocking with residents winner Colin Selway

Burnham and Highbridge Mayor Ken Smout, Sedgemoor District Council's Vice Chairman Peter Downing, Britain in Bloom judge Tony Moore and bloom organisers Pam Lyes and Joyce Curtis