HOPES are high for Devizes winning gold again in this year’s South West in Bloom competition after judges seemed impressed during their visit on Monday 10th July.

Two judges from South West in Bloom, which is one of 18 regional competitions that make up the Britain in Bloom gardening and environmental campaign, visited Devizes for a three-and-a-half hour tour earlier this week.

Devizes won the gold award in last year’s competition and volunteers, local groups and schools tried hard to impress again this time around.

The town council’s Sarah Williams led judges Richard Taylor and Bob Sweet round on Monday.

Sarah said: “I think the tour went very well! We had lots to show the judges and there was a real positive energy from everyone on the day so I’m optimistic about getting gold again.

“One of the judges came last year, too, and was keen to see what had been done this time around.

“We took them on a meticulously planned route through the town, starting with the canal museum and tea on the Kenavon Venture, and met various groups and volunteers along the way including children from Southbroom Infants School and St Joseph’s Nursery.

“The judges loved the scarecrows on the roundabout and were pleased to see children involved in the tour; we’re hopeful for another good result!”

The Devizes in Bloom team will find out how they have done when the results are announced at an awards evening in early October. The winner of the schools’ scarecrow competition will be announced at the same time.