A stalwart of Saundersfoot’s in bloom contests down the years has come up smelling of roses after being recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society with a special accolade.

Cllr Rosemary Hayes MBE received a ‘Community Champion’ award at the RHS  Britain in Bloom ceremony held at Old Trafford in Manchester recently.

It was doubled delight for Cllr Hayes, as Saundersfoot in Bloom, representing Wales in the ‘Large Village’ category of the RHS competition for the first time, picked up a ‘Silver Gilt’ award.

As for Cllr Hayes, ‘Community Champion’ awards are presented to individuals who have gone above and beyond to make their community gardening projects a success and she has definitely done that over her 40 year involvement with Saundersfoot in Bloom.

Cllr Hayes has been a member of the organisation since 1984, and was one of the original members who helped get the group off the ground.

She was appointed secretary at her first meeting, a position she held until this year’s AGM when she retired, feeling it was time to pass on the baton to someone younger to take on the position.

“I joined because I always want to help in looking after the village I grew up in,” said Cllr Hayes.

Cllr Rosemary Hayes MBE picking up her ‘Community Champion’ award at the RHS  Britain in Bloom ceremony held at Old Trafford in Manchester recently
(Pic supplied)

“Along with other members I was always pleased when we won an award in Wales in Bloom. We have received many different awards over the years the most exciting for me was in 2021 at Beaumaris, Anglesey when we won our first ‘Gold Award’ which was a very proud achievement for the members.

“Another exciting time for me was in 2022 when I was a joint winner of the Norman Stewart Award - a Wales in Bloom award to people who work hard in their community,” she added.

The Britain In Bloom competition was particularly special this year, as 2024 marked the 60th anniversary of the contest.

RHS Judges Roger Burnett and Ian Beaney visited Saundersfoot back at the end of July where they were shown around the village.

The village and volunteers were praised at the contest, with judges summing up as follows: ‘From the minute you enter this bustling and vibrant large seaside village you know this is a community that cares for the environment and “loves where they live”.

‘The seafront area showcases superb examples of high-quality horticulture, well maintained and cared for, as is the coastal environment, with great importance placed on cleanliness and recycling, especially plastics.’