AMATEUR gardeners and volunteers of all ages who helped Bovey Tracey win a Gold in this year’s RHS South West in Bloom contest and receive The Preece Cup for best in category have been honoured at the town’s Riverside Community Centre.
Those recognised in the November 10 celebration included members of Bovey Tracey Community Garden, Bovey Tracey Garden Club, the Community Kitchen Hub, Friends of Mill Marsh Park and Growing Space who entered the In Your Neighbourhood category.
Also praised were Brookside Tea Rooms and The Cromwell Arms for their business entries, as well as Bovey Tracey Academy Garden Club who triumphed in the It’s Your School category.
They were presented with certificates by Jon Wheatley, Vice Chair of the Royal Horticultural Society and Chair of its South West in Bloom Committee.
He said much of the inspiration for the town’s success began with Mayor Cllr Sheila Brooke, telling her: ‘Your efforts are phenomenal, your enthusiasm and keenness come through.’
He said the RHS had changed its emphasis in the competition from hanging baskets to evidence of partnership working between residents, organisations, businesses and the council.
‘I want to congratulate you all on your community effort, community is the key,’ he said
‘I do believe that if we’ve any chance of survival as a species, it’s through growing and sharing the information involved with that growing.
‘Because growing involves feeding and community partnership.’
Cllr Brooke extended her thanks and congratulations to all involved, particularly the school which, she revealed, had been a favourite with the judge.
She told those present: ’He said the school was the real highlight of his visit, he absolutely loved it and was really impressed with the children’s knowledge and enthusiasm, and thought it was wonderful that at the end they all dug up the goods they’d been growing and took them home to eat.
‘You’ve achieved a lot with those children and it will be with them for ever.’
She added: ’The pride residents take in their parish is reflected in the community effort to enter South West in Bloom each year which has contributed to placing Bovey Tracey on the map.
‘Visitors make Bovey a destination.’
More news
-
Bovey Tracey Town Council awards £25,000 grant to boost solar energy at community swimming pool
MEMBERS of Bovey Tracey Town Council have awarded a grant of £25,000 to help the town’s charity-operated outdoor swimming pool install an improved solar energy system.
Added: 11 November 2026
County highways engineers hear concerns about Bovey Tracey bridge replacement scheme.
BOVEY Tracey Town Council has welcomed plans to replace an ageing pedestrian bridge but expressed concerns that the proposed 38-week scheme could damage town centre businesses.
Added: 11 November 2026
Water safety improvements planned for Bovey Tracey’s Mill Marsh Park
WATER safety in Bovey Tracey’s Mill Marsh Park is set to be taken up a notch with the introduction of new lifesaving equipment and public information boards.
Added: 29 October 2026
Volunteers clear litter from Bovey Tracey woodland
VOLUNTEERS have cleared a Bovey Tracey woodland of rubbish left by inconsiderate visitors.
Added: 23 October 2026
Remembrance Sunday in Bovey Tracey
This year’s Remembrance events in Bovey Tracey are set to begin at 9.
Added: 09 October 2026
Eco heating system at Bovey Tracey’s Riverside centre will cut emissions and bills
A NEW eco-friendly heating system at Bovey Tracey’s Riverside Centre will cut carbon emissions and looks set to cost the town’s tax payers nothing, members have been told.
Added: 10 September 2026
Bovey Tracey Town Council awards £2,000 grant to discount food scheme
THE charity that operates a weekly discounted food scheme has been awarded a £2,000 grant by Bovey Tracey Town Council.
Added: 10 September 2026
Bovey Tracey Town Council agrees to appoint contractor for £60,000 Heathfield play park improvement scheme
BOVEY Tracey Town Council has agreed to appoint specialist contractors to carry out a £60,000 makeover of a tired play park in Heathfield.
Added: 10 September 2026
£20,000 CCTV installation in Bovey Tracey at no cost to residents
A £20,000 CCTV scheme looks set to be coming to Bovey Tracey with none of the installation costs being landed on residents.
Added: 10 September 2026
The Riverside Community Centre in Bovey Tracey looks set to get an artistic makeover, led by the town’s teenagers.
Creation of a ‘youth-friendly space’ in the building, owned by the town council and supported by the National Lottery, was recommended by officials from Devon Communities Together who had helped monitor The National Lottery Funding objectives.
Added: 03 September 2026
Grounds man Roger Rance - 25 years commitment to Bovey Tracey
WHEN unexpected redundancy forced welder/fabricator Roger Rance into early retirement at the age of 55, positive changes were to follow.
Added: 12 August 2026
Bike maintenance point available free to cyclists in Bovey Tracey
CYCLISTS passing through Bovey Tracey can make use of a new £1,200 bike repair point donated by members of South Devon Cyclists Touring Club (SDCTC).
Added: 09 July 2026
For older news articles please click here to view our news archive.