A LACK of effort by some town centre businesses disappointed the judges of Minehead in Bloom in this year's local gardens competition.

There was praise for the town's hotels, guest houses and residential homes whose gardens "gave a great impression from every direction".

And the judges of residents' gardens, Mike Gammon, of Dulverton, and Peter Batchelor, of Exford, remarked on the "fantastic effort that went into so many gardens".

They noted the "wonderful results" of amateur gardeners' dedication and hard work, and there was praise for the "beautifully set out" hotel, guest house and residential homes' gardens.

But a common theme from this year's judges was the disappointing standard of entries from some categories, notably in the business community.

Town councillors Terry Venner and John Clark, who looked at pub gardens, said they were disappointed at how little effort had been made by some of them.

This was echoed by the judges of the cafés and restaurants category, Cllr and Mrs Martyn Snell.

Cllr Snell, chairman of Minehead in Bloom, said: "As always, the judging of many competitions was very hard with very high standards indeed in the residents' categories.

"Unfortunately, it seems that some of the businesses in the town are not so committed and it's a shame when you walk through the town centre to see areas where no effort at all appears to have been made.

"Visitors may not come to Minehead because of the flowers, but we certainly know from the letters and comments that we receive that many return because of them.

"Whether we like it or not, tourism is the lifeblood of this town and our traders depend upon it.

"It's just a shame that some of them don't see the benefits to them of joining in with our Minehead in Bloom efforts."

Pictured are this year's judges, from the left, at the front, Nita Webber, Mike Gammon, Joy Dennett and Sheila Snell and, at the back, Terry Venner, Chris Adams, Martyn Snell, John Clark, Peter Batchelor and Barbara Robinson.

RESULTS

(in 1, 2, 3 order)

Dick Collins Cup, best allotment: Marshfield Road site, Mr Lewis, Mr Osborne, Mrs Willetts; Harepark Terrace, Mrs Phillips, Mr Baker, Mr Prior; Poundfield Road, Mr and Mrs Male, Mr Pickering, Mr Baker; Periton Way, Mr Biles. Exmoor Floral Art Club Tray, residential or nursing homes, Broadlands, Winsor Nursing Home, Wyndham House. Christine Gibbons Trophy, churches, The Avenue Methodist, St Michael the Archangel, Minehead Baptist. K's Trophy, cafés and restaurants, Blenheim Gardens Café, Capers, The Railway Carriage. Joe and Enid Bulley Tankard, guest houses, Allington House, Simla, Justacott. Hotels Association Shield, hotels, Kingsway, Wyndcott, Alcombe House. Ernie Griffiths Tankard, pubs, Britannia Inn, Old Ship Aground, Beach Bar.

The Rose Bow, best kept front garden, T. Chilcott, 11 Hillview Close, Mr and Mrs Crumbleholme, 7 Quarry Close, Mrs R. Scarth, 13 Summerland Avenue. Townswomen's Guild Silver Plate, best container planted front garden, Mrs M. Tucker, 50 Lower Park, Mrs G. Macrow, 3 Spring Gardens, Mrs J. Burr, 6 Summerland Avenue. Chairman's Cup, best hidden garden, Mrs S. Brooker, 23 Chestnut Way, J. Darby 7 West Street, I. Brown, 6 Sycamore Road.

Photo: Steve Guscott.