MEMBERS of the Marlborough in Bloom committee welcomed a judge to the town to show them round to see all of the hard work by the community.

Andy Cole, a National Britain in Bloom judge, visited the town last Thursday (July 28) to take a look at the 12 local areas which were entered to the Royal Horticultural Society’s It’s Your Neighbourhood campaign.

Marlborough in Bloom Chairman Anne Crawley commented, "I really enjoyed taking Judge Andy Cole around our town. The enthusiasm of local people to work together to improve the areas they live in installs real civic pride and it obviously has a knock-on, positive effect on the local economy and tourism. I have high hopes that we will do very well when the results are announced on October 2.”

As well as walking the streets of Marlborough, visits were made to Manton Village where Clare Russell, secretary of the Marlborough in Bloom committee, and a group of volunteers showed off their hand planted troughs which are now in the High Street.

Mrs Crawley, of River Park, said: “Andy has helped us a lot over the last three years, when he came down on Thursday he was very positive about the town. We showed him round The Orchard as well as all of the other areas, all of the hard work by the volunteers has really paid off. We were driving all over Marlborough with him just to show him all of the displays by the nearby residents.

Some areas of Marlborough were entered into the competition for the first time this year, which gave the MIB committee some idea of how things may need to improve for the next year’s event.

“We have some places which could do with a considerable improvement, saying that Stonebridge did an amazing job. Having the judge go round makes people aware of the things that may need to be worked on,” added Mrs Crawley.

With the results being announced in just under two months the committee are keeping their fingers crossed for what could potentially be a very important win.

“There is a tradition of all of the mayors from the towns going up to a reception and a meal before the winners are announced, the day after I will be travelling to where they hold the ceremony. I am very hopeful we will be crowned winners this year after all of the hard work put in,” Mrs Crawley said.

The winners of this year’s South West in Bloom will be named at the ceremony on October 2.