MINEHEAD in Bloom judges have announced the winners in the dozen categories in this year's floral competition - and heaped criticism on some town traders for failing to enter into the spirit of the contest.

Cafe owners and restaurateurs were singled out as the worst offenders for not making an effort, while vandals were also attacked for damaging displays.

Competition judge Sheila Snell said: "There are actually 28 cafes and restaurants in Minehead and, on the whole, the standard among them was mostly awful.

"Seventeen had no flowers outside their premises at all, two had theirs supplied by the local council and four had minimal displays.

"In real terms, we were left with only four premises to judge."

In the event, the Old Harbour House Restaurant in Quay Street claimed the top honours in the cafes/restaurants section, with The Willows Cafe in The Avenue second and The Hairy Dog, also in The Avenue, third.

In contrast, pubs, guest houses and hotels put on some of the most colourful displays in the contest with The Old Ship Aground, The Red House, Kingsway Hotel and The Promenade Hotel all coming first in their respective categories.

Lynda Hatch, vice-chairman of Minehead in Bloom and hotels' association representative on the bloom committee, said flowers could do much to attract trade.

"Generally the pubs, guest houses and hotels try their hardest to make their premises look good and this attracts passing trade.

"It's a shame some of our cafes and restaurants don't make the effort - a few flowers will do much to attract people and this can only be for the good, not only for the trader but also for the customer and the town," she said.

But, as ever, Minehead residents did the town proud, although their commitment meant the judges faced some very tough decisions.

As well as the usual sections, such as best front garden, there were two new categories, including one for the best sustainable garden.

Judges said they wanted to reward residents who took recycling, water economy and ecological issues into account when creating their gardens.

Minehead town councillor and competition judge Meigan Lyons donated a trophy for the sustainable garden contest and said the issue of sustainability was becoming ever more important in all aspects of life.

She said: "In this competition we looked not for the brightly coloured flower displays of seasonal bedding plants, but rather for the use of permanent planting shrubs and perennials.

"We also looked for more practical sustainable measures such as saving natural water, solar energy for lights and water features, composting and organic gardening.

"The garden which won the prize in this inaugural year demonstrated many of these features with a superb display of perennial planting, collection and transfer of rainwater and composting."

Minehead in Bloom chairman, town councillor Martin Snell, said he was extremely grateful to everyone who had put so much effort into the competition and said standards in some categories had been higher than ever.

But he hit out at vandals who made the task of staging the colourful competition far from easy.

"Even now our floral displays are suffering from vandalism and theft and it is only the continuous effort of everyone involved, which maintains our high standards," he said.

"It's just a shame that there are still a few people who don't think it's important to have flowers and a few who appear to think it's fun to damage those we have.

"However, these local competitions highlight the terrific commitment that many demonstrate and, overall, the standard in all our competitions was very high."

He added: "We are extremely grateful to all the residents and traders who put so much effort into making the town look colourful and we know that visitors love to see our floral displays."

He also appealed to residents to ensure Minehead looked its best for the regional judging of the national Britain in Bloom competition on Wednesday July 24.

"The judge will not only be looking at the flowers, he will also be assessing how clean and tidy the town is and how it is responding to the need for greater sustainability and ecological awareness," Cllr Snell said.

RESULTS

(in 1, 2, 3 order)

Public houses: The Old Ship Aground, The Britannia Inn, The Beach Bar. Judges felt there was a much higher standard overall and said it was good to see several pubs having displays for the first time.

Churches: Avenue Methodist, Alcombe Methodist, St Michael the Archangel. Judges felt the Avenue Methodist's well-kept lawns and colourful flowers just tipped the scales in their favour.

Residential/nursing homes: Westerley in King Edward Road, Broadlands in Ponsford Road, Winsor House in The Avenue. Judges reported an overall high standard but went for the Westerley because of its well-maintained lawns, hedges, planting and "welcoming aspect".

Small guest houses: The Red House in Periton Road, Simla in Alcombe Road, 3= Moorside in Moor Road and Avondale, Martlet Road. Judges praised the tremendous efforts of smaller accommodation providers and congratulated everyone on the standards they achieved.

Larger guest houses/small hotels: Kingsway Hotel in Ponsford Road, Glendower Hotel in Tregonwell Road, The Sunfield, Summerland Avenue. Judges said the colourful plant mixes and high standards of maintenance were a tribute to the hard work of all those involved.

Larger hotels: The Promenade Hotel on The Esplanade, Channel House Hotel in Church Path, Alcombe House Hotel in Bircham Road. Judges felt The Promenade's informal cottage garden made it a relaxing and colourful place for guests to sit.

Allotments: overall winner of the four sites - John Male, plot six, Poundfield Road. Judges felt a much greater effort had been put in this year but said the winner's plot stood head and shoulders above others in the section, adding "has to be seen to be believed".

Cafes/restaurants: Old Harbour House Restaurant in Quay Street, The Willows Cafe in The Avenue, The Hairy Dog Restaurant in The Avenue. Judges felt the standard was "mostly awful" bar the "four real contenders" and said the winner demonstrated unusual and colourful planting, while the runners-up displays were well planted and tended.

Residents' front gardens: Mr Chilcott of 11 Hillview Close, Mrs Crane of 23 Regents Way, Mr Smithies of 7 Hillview Close. Judges said all three gardens demonstrated fantastic dedication and enthusiasm, with the winner described as a mass of colour.

Residents' container planted front gardens: Mrs Tucker of 50 Lower Park, Mrs Pridmore of 33a King George Road, Mrs Oldfield of 6 Hillview Close. Judges praised the overall high standard and said the winner was chosen due to the high standard of maintenance and variety of planting.

Residents "hidden" gardens: Mr J Darby of 7 West Street, Mr I Brown of 6 Sycamore Road, Mr and Mrs King of 25 Chestnut Way. Judges said the winning garden demonstrated "everything" - colour, variety, a water feature, hanging baskets - and was superbly maintained.

Residents' "sustainable" garden: Mr Miles of 1 Exmoor Way, Mr J Bennett of Shute Farm in St Michael's Road, Mr Chilcott of 11 Hillview Close. Judges said the winning garden was "superb", demonstrating natural water collection and distribution, composting and perennial planting.

The various category winners will receive their awards at a special presentation ceremony to be held later this year.

Pictured are Minehead in Bloom judges, from the left, back row, Maureen Walters, Eric Rawcliffe, John Clark, Peter Batchelor, Sheila Snell, Mike Gammon; front row Joy Dennett, Martyn Snell and Meigan Lyons.

Photo: Steve Guscott