Two Tenby hotels have been flying the floral flag for the resort at this year’s Wales in Bloom event.

The Giltar Hotel scooped a gold, coming first in the ‘Hotels, Guest Houses, Public Houses and Restaurants – Frontage only’ category for the fourth year running, whilst just a little further up the road, the Atlantic Hotel picked up a Silver Gilt in the annual competition’s ‘Hotels, Guest Houses, Public Houses and Restaurants – Frontage and Grounds’ section.

As well as providing floral delights for guests, both hotels situated along Tenby’s Esplanade, enjoy spectacular views overlooking the South Beach and out towards Caldey Island.

It’s a real family affair too at both hotels, as keeping the Giltar’s floral credentials in check is Simon Rowlands, with his two sons George and Tobin tasked with the duty at the Atlantic!

Malcolm Brace, owner of the Giltar Hotel said that the premises was once again ‘delighted’ to receive the accolade.

“It’s all due to the hard work of our gardener Simon Rowlands. He’s very conscientious, and that shows in the wonderful displays that we have,” he commented.

“Its also great to see the Atlantic doing well too and supporting the contest, helping bringing the Esplanade to its natural beauty,” added Malcolm.

Nicky Rees of the Atlantic Hotel also welcomed their recognition and praised their gardening team.

“We are so pleased to have been awarded Silver Gilt in the Wales in Bloom Awards. This is fantastic recognition for our gardeners George and Tobin Rowlands, whose hard work and dedication ensure that the gardens and terraces look stunning all year round. A huge thank you to them both!” she said.

The ‘Large Village’ class is usually a tussle with strong competition from Usk, Saundersfoot, Raglan and Beaumaris. This year Saundersfoot settled for a Silver Gilt, with Usk taking the title.

“Saundersfoot Community Council were delighted to be awarded second place. Thanks to all who helped acheive this award,” said Saundersfoot in Bloom secretary Rosemary Hayes.

This year the Wales in Bloom Foundation were celebrating the 50th anniversary of Wales in Bloom.

The campaign has been making Wales more beautiful for fifty years and this year judges were treated with a golden display across Wales.

The Royal Horticultural Society take care of ‘Bloom’ across the UK so elements such as water conservation, organic gardening, wild flower meadows and gardens for Pollinators are all important. Each entrant is awarded a Gold, Silver gilt, Silver or Bronze award based on the marks they achieve.

The inclement Welsh Summer gave gardeners less of a challenge with their watering but a massive amount of weeding to do but in spite of these difficulties, the judges were pleased to report that standards have remained high, and numbers entering increased.

The results of this year’s Wales in Bloom competition were announced at the awards ceremony at the Memorial Hall in Burry Port last weekend and were hosted by Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council, who fought off tough competition from Abergavenny and Ystradgynlais to claim the title with a Gold award.

Elsewhere in Pembrokeshire, Lydstep Beach Holiday Park were awarded a Gold medal in the ‘Caravans Static or Touring, Camping and Holiday Home Sites – for over 100 Units class; whilst Fishguard and Goodwick/Abergwaun ac Wdig took top spot in the coastal town up to 12,000.

The ‘Small Village’ class may be awarded to the tiniest population but this never stops Wolfscastle putting in a monster effort to secure top spot.

A very happy Clr. Michelle Bateman of Wolfscastle in Bloom said: “We are very proud with the result and it is a fitting recognition of all the hard work that our community puts into the campaign.

“We are very lucky to have such a dedicated team of volunteers who give up their time for their community.”

Tenby did not enter the Wales in Bloom event this year, but the town’s Mayor and chairman of Tenby in Bloom, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, said that the resort will be back soon.

“A lot of people have been asking, but due to reforming work in a lot of the town’s gardens, we decided not to enter the competition this year to give us a chance to manoeuvre things before going back into the event,” she explained.