GREEN-fingered toddlers at Happy Talk Nursery in Anstey Park gave a lively welcome to councillor Pam Jones, who was there to admire their award-winning garden.

The youngsters had won the Pam Jones Trophy for the Best Pre-School Garden in this year’s Alton in Bloom competition, which is run by Alton Town Council.

It rewards and highlights the horticultural effort of peoplee who work hard each year to help enhance the look of the town for the benefit of residents, workers and visitors alike.

So keen gardeners of all ages gathered at the Assembly Rooms on September 14 for the annual prizegiving ceremony, which was presided over by appropriately-named Alton mayor Derek Gardner.

Decided this year on photographic evidence, the judging panel was made up of the mayor, Alton Town Council community and events committee chairman Bisi Kennard, Celia Simpson (head gardener at Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton) and Chris Feldon, of Garthowen Nursery in Four Marks.

Taking the Norman Pointing Trophy for the second year running as overall competition winner for the town, and the Alton Horticultural Society Cup for the Best Small Front Garden, was Elaine Holton, of Queen’s Road, Alton, whose garden was picture-postcard perfect despite the hot, dry summer.

The Town and Country Cars Cup for the Best Large Garden went to Martin and Rose West of Gilmour Gardens - another lively riot of colour and ornaments, while Alton Grange B&B won the Mid Hants Cup for the Best Commercial Building and the Garthowen Cup for the Best Individual Container.

The Clarke Trophy for the Best Planted Unusual Container - a wheelbarrow full of petunias, geraniums and French marigolds - went to Ernie and Mary Oakley of Geales Crescent.

Retaining the Vokes-Oakley Trophy for the best Holybourne entry was Complins resident Robert Lambert, while Mike and Tina Rhodes of Gaskell Close, Holybourne, won the class for the Best Commemorative Display, this year’s theme being the First World War.

Joan Mossop, of St Mary’s B&B on Albert Road, picked up the prestigious John Smith Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to the In Bloom Effort, while the Alton Society won the Tidy Up Alton Trophy for its annual litter picks.

The residents of Orchard House and Orchard Terrace won the Pritchards Garage Salver for the Best Neighbourhood Area, while those at Windmill Court secured the Communiweb Learn Direct Cup for the Best Residential/Retirement Building.

The Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line was awarded the Alton Herald Plate for the Best Community Group effort and the cup for the Best Shop Window for the booking office on Platform 3 at Alton station.

Children delighted the judges once again with their in-bloom effort, with Happy Talk Nursery retaining the Pam Jones Trophy for their garden behind The Cabin in Anstey Park, while Alton Infant School again triumphed to take the Pam Jones Cup for the Best School Children’s Garden.

The Tallest Sunflower was grown by Charlotte and Jessica Goulton, the Best Scarecrow was crafted by Alton Infant School, and the Alton Allotment Award for the Best in Show at the recent harvest show went to Sara Thomson, with Sue Corry taking the Best New Tenant Award. The award for Best Kept Allotment went to John Muir of Wooteys Allotment.

The Alton Community Cup for an individual or group working on behalf of the community went to the National Citizen Service for its work on the riverside path and clearance of the reed beds at Flood Meadows, under the guidance of the Alton Society, while the Joan Richardson Memorial Trophy for the Unsung Hero of In Bloom went to Peter Earp for his work behind the scenes and his effort and dedication to the maintenance and improvement in the Public Gardens.

Commenting on this year’s Alton in Bloom competition, Mr Gardner said: “It is always a pleasure to present the certificates and awards at the annual Alton in Bloom presentation evening. Everyone who entered is a winner. They make the town a much more colourful and vibrant place for us all to enjoy.”