The seaside village of Saundersfoot and two Tenby hotels have been flying the floral flag for Pembrokeshire once again, enjoying success at the Wales in Bloom awards this month.

On Friday, September 13, entrants from all corners of Wales gathered in Abergavenny to find out how they had done in this year’s contest.

Atlantic in bloom
George Rowlands is tasked with duties at the Atlantic Hotel which was awarded ‘Gold’ at the ceremony (Wales in Bloom)

The fight for the best Hotel with a Frontage display is always a titanic battle - and this year again both the Giltar Hotel and The Atlantic Hotel along Tenby’s Esplanade were awarded Gold - with The Giltar coming out on top overall as the category winner.

The class for ‘Large villages’ is always a tumultuous battle too with Saundersfoot and Usk wrestling for first place.

Saundersfoot in bloom
The Saundersfoot contingent were also left over the moon at the awards. (Wales in Bloom)

This year both again received Gold Awards for their amazing floral displays and on this occasion Usk won the title – for a record 41st time.

The judges praised Saundersfoot for its beautiful floral displays, backed with strong public art with colourful renderings on all the street furniture and heritage elements.

Joanna Balkwill
There was more recognition for Saundersfoot, with the ‘best front garden’ award across all entries (sponsored by Amberol) presented to resident Joanna Balkwill of Sunrise (Wales in Bloom)

There was more recognition for Saundersfoot, with the ‘best front garden’ award across all entries (sponsored by Amberol) presented to resident Joanna Balkwill of Sunrise; whilst Saundersfoot in Bloom stalwarts Julie Davies and Martyn Williams were handed RHS Community Champion Certificates.

“Well, what a day, and what an achievement for the village - everyone who's been involved in some way or other in our entry should be proud of the part they've played and know that Saundersfoot in Bloom are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to pull it all together,” said a spokesperson for the Saundersfoot in Bloom organisation.

Saundersfoot in Bloom stalwarts Julie Davies and Martyn Williams were handed RHS Community Champion Certificates.
Saundersfoot in Bloom stalwarts Julie Davies and Martyn Williams were handed RHS Community Champion Certificates. (Wales in Bloom)

“The Saundersfoot contingent were also over the moon to be there to see a Saundersfoot garden win the ‘Best Front Garden’ award - so richly deserved, it's a gem of a garden that we were delighted to be invited to show the Royal Horticultural Society, Wales in Bloom and Britain in Bloom judges as part of their tour of the village back in July.

“And totally unexpectedly, two of our members were also awarded Wales in Bloom Champion certificates!”