Bognor Regis in Bloom competition celebrates town’s best gardens and floral displays

In what has been a turbulent year, residents pulled on their gardening gloves and were more determined than ever to make their gardens bloom.

The competition received 43 entries, in nine different categories, which the working group running the competition said was ‘amazing’.

Due to the pandemic, the Annual Awards Evening was not able to go ahead. Instead, certificates to every entrant were sent to their houses, along with a photo taken of their entry by one of the judges. The winner from each category has had their trophy delivered to them personally by either the town mayor, councillor Phil Woodall, or his deputy, councillor Steve Goodheart.

Michelle Colwell, who won the ‘Best Kept Front Garden’ category, said: “It was overwhelming to win this year and for councillor Steve Goodheart to present me with such a magnificent trophy.

“Bognor in Bloom is such a lovely event to encourage people to take up gardening.

“My children helped me this year when they did not attend school during lockdown. I hope the event encourages more people to enter next year.”

The Bognor Regis in Bloom working group Committee clerk added: “We really hope still running the competition this year gave entrants something positive to focus on. Gardening has been proven to be extremely therapeutic and we’ve all needed that this year.

“Hopefully seeing these beautiful gardens, hanging baskets and other displays has put a real smile on people’s faces, in such difficult times.”

A presentation can be viewed on the town council’s Facebook page.