THERE was praise for the winners of this year's Minehead in Bloom competition - and criticism of certain businesses which made no effort to take part.

Garden judge Peter Batchelor spoke highly of the packed, well ordered petunias and bedding plants in the winning gardens and gave special mention to the wonderful show of colour in the winning container planted garden.

Representatives from the Minehead Gardeners' Association, Minehead Townswomen's Guild and the sixth form at West Somerset Community College had the task of judging the residential homes, restaurants, cafes and public houses.

They too spoke highly of the winners and runners-up who had worked hard to make their premises blossom, but said there were disappointed by the "lack of effort put in by a few establishments".

Vice chairman of Minehead in Bloom, Lynda Hatch, thanked everyone for their efforts: "We are extremely grateful to all our judges who give of their time and energy in the cause of Minehead in Bloom.

"Judging competitions like this is not easy - it takes much longer and requires a lot more effort than many people realise - often you find that you are not judging like with like, after all, restaurants, retirement homes, hotels and even guest houses come in varying sizes and types and some have frontages which lend themselves to floral decorations while others don't."

She added: "We would also like to thank all those individual gardeners who entered our competitions and the many businesses who have made so much effort to make the town bloom again this year."

The judges were invited to a celebratory tea at the Beach Hotel, in Minehead, where they also announced the winners of each of the ten categories.

The winners were: Dick Collins Cup for the best kept allotment, Mr David Lewis, plot no.77, Marshfield Road Site; Rose Bowl for the best kept front garden, Mr and Mrs Phillips, 1 Lower Marshfield Road, Alcombe; Townswomen's Guild Silver Plate for the best kept container planted front garden, Mr CG Bushen, 15 Luttrell Gardens; Chairman's Cup for the best kept "hidden" garden, Mrs P Jewel, 101 Periton Lane; Ernie Griffiths Trophy for the best florally decorated public house, The Britannia Inn, Alcombe.

Christine Gibbons Memorial Trophy for the best florally decorated church, Minehead Methodist Church, The Avenue; Exmoor Floral Art Club Tray for the best kept residential or nursing home, Westerley, King Edward Road; K's Trophy for the best florally decorated cafe or restaurant, Capers, The Avenue; Hotel's Association Shield for the best floral hotel, The Promenade Hotel, The Esplanade; The Joe and Enid Bulley Tankard for the best floral guest house, Allington, Ponsford Road.

Pictured at the tea are judges Mike Gammon of Dulverton, Peter Batchelor of Exford, Tom Pilcher of West Somerset Community College sixth form, Mrs Waters of Exmoor Floral Art Club, Mr and Mrs Hawkins of Minehead Gardeners' Association, Mrs Joy Dennett of Minehead Townswomen's Guild, Cllr John Clark, Cllr Terry Venner, and Cllr Ivor Gibbins with vice-chairman of Minehead in Bloom Lynda Hatch, secretary Sandra Slade, and committee member Nita Webber.

Photo: Steve Guscott