SOME of the most spectacular results ever have been achieved by Wellington in this year’s South West in Bloom competition, with a gold cup and more than a dozen other separate awards.

And already, the town council has started preparing Wellington’s green spaces to hopefully do even better in the 2027 awards season.

Results for the Westcountry region of the prestigious annual Britain in Bloom awards were announced at a ceremony in The Atlantic Hotel, Newquay, on Friday (October 23).

Wellington retained the gold award in the Portman Cup, for towns with a population larger than 15,000, which it won last year for the first time since 2008.

The town also received a whopping 14 awards in the competition’s ‘In Your Neighbourhood’ category for areas such as the park and the Swains Lane nature reserve.

Separately, Transition Town Wellington’s Fox’s Field achieved second place in the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) supported awards for the best environmental project, while The Basins wildlife area secured second place in the London to Manchester Cup.

Town council open spaces manager Darren Hill said: “These are wonderful achievements for our town and a true reflection of the care, pride, and community spirit that make Wellington such a special place to live, work, and visit.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated open spaces team for their hard work, commitment, and dedication throughout the year.

“I am equally grateful to our community groups and volunteers, whose enthusiasm, generosity, and time make such a valuable contribution to the appearance and character of our town.

“The difference they make to Wellington is truly appreciated.

“Special thanks to Cllr Janet Lloyd for her tireless support, as well as to Rebecca Hunt and the entire council team, all of whom have played an important role in helping us achieve these results.

“We are fortunate to have such a generous and supportive business community, and Wellington Town Council and I are extremely grateful to everybody who helps us improve and care for our shared spaces.

“I would like to offer a special thank you to KS Coles and family and RW Gale for their ongoing support and valued contributions.

“South West in Bloom represents so much more than beautiful flowers and colourful displays.

“It celebrates the strength of our community, our shared responsibility for the environment, the importance of biodiversity, and the collective efforts that help create welcoming, sustainable, and enjoyable public spaces for everybody.

“While we are immensely proud of this year’s success, we are already looking ahead and planning further improvements for next year.

“We remain committed to caring for Wellington’s green spaces and helping them adapt to changing climatic conditions, ensuring they continue to thrive and benefit our community for years to come.

“I hope everybody in Wellington feels a real sense of pride in this achievement.

“Our gold award belongs to everybody who has played a part, whether through practical support, volunteering, helping to maintain our green spaces, or simply taking pride in our town.”