Bexhill in Bloom judges

But, frustratingly and somewhat surprisingly, it was often the horticultural efforts which had NOT been entered which took the judges' attention.

Though organising committee chairman Sandra Melvin is delighted with this year's response, which is up on last year's, Monday's town tour was convincing proof that many home-owners and businesses are doing themselves a disservice by not entering gardens, forecourts, planters and window boxes which are obviously of potentially class-winning standard.

With Sandra were Angela Sharman, community development coordinator for Rother Homes, Rotherview Nurseries boss Ray Bates and garden advisor and consultant David Fitton. David has recently been awarded an MBE for his services to local government and the community.

Organiser and judges were driven on their tour by former Town Mayor Cllr Peter Fairhurst.

From their briefing at Broad Oak Park's environmental study centre, the judges looked first at two facing corner plots in Courthope Drive, where neighbours Margaret Cull-Candy and Sue Hunter are in friendly rivalry the most attractive garden private garden.

Mindy Cavaan's hanging baskets at The Denbigh were their next port of call before cruising past Little Common Business Association's hanging baskets and planters to admire the decorated cycle, the flowerpot man and the honeysuckle in Pat Crouch's Barnhorn Road front garden.

Hardy shrubs set in a bed of slate form the attraction outside the Cooden Beach Hotel. At Sackville Apartments on equally wind-swept De La Warr Parade resident Tom Jordan's pride and joy has to be planted with the prevailing sou' wester in mind. Tom has incorporated the letter S -for Sackville - in his display.

A peek at Jackie Bialeska's basement garden revealed hidden colour in Cantelupe Road. Topiary is a feature outside The Oasis in Sea Road, as are the hanging baskets.

One of the "Wow look at that" moments came when Peter Fairhurst's people-carrier rounded the corner into Albany Road, where neighbours have long vied for Bexhill In Bloom trophies. This year's "in" colour in Albany Road is evidently lemon yellow. Petunias and fuschias predominated among the hanging baskets and window boxes, though the fragrance of some purple petunias prompted favourable comment.

The planters at Sackville Road Methodist Church are another of Tom Jordan's labours of love. The judges also visited Bexhill Caring Community to view this year's in-window display.

Clients at the 73a Centre in London Road have created their own haven of peace with floral and vegetable gardens dominated this year by the lofty sunflowers next to the gentle babble of the water feature.

Hydrangeas in Buxton Drive, baskets in Rother Court in London Road, a corner plot in nearby St George's Road

paved the way for a whirlwind tour of Old Town where the Preservation Society has done its customary colourful job on hanging baskets in High Street and Church Street and where Rimswell Cottage and the nearby Twitten brighten the scene and The Bell and Quakersmill add their contribution to the scene.

A trip to Landsdown Way revealed a colourful cul-de-sac corner.

The youth class was well represented by the adventurous bed at the Early Years Nursery at Pebsham Community Primary School and at Glyne Gap School where special needs students - many of them working from wheelchairs - have taken great enjoyment out of creating a courtyard display of potted plants and a scented planter featuring such olfactory favourites as lavender and rosemary. There was scant time to tour the environmental garden that is pupils' special joy with its "veg box" bursting with lettuce, cabbages and carrots fed compost they have produced.

Near neighbours Marion Edmonds and Susan Shopland help make Filsham Drive at Pebsham an attractive spot.

Sidley is also a fast-growing centre of community spirit. After looking at baskets and planters in Ingrams Avenue, the judge toured past the old people's bungalows in Festival Gardens and past balconies made beautiful by residents of groups of flats in Preston Road.

That left them Pat Cooper's evening primroses in Peartree Lane before a welcome lunch break.

The judges now have the tough task of picking the winners.

It will be no surprise if among them is the garden whose sea of summer colour produced a chorus of "Ooh - Look!"