The judge for South West in Bloom visited Sidmouth on 'a wonderful fine day' to tour the town's parks, gardens and floral displays.

Camilla Bassett-Smith came to Sidmouth on Thursday, 11 July, and began her tour at the Belmont Hotel.

After a presentation on Sidmouth in Bloom's work, she met the Belmont/Victoria gardeners, Matt and Lee, who showed her their work with children and highlighted the wonderful view up the coast from the putting green. 

Camilla went on to visit Blackmore Gardens, the Sensory Garden and Ham borders, the Market Square, Triangle and Connaught Gardens.  She also visited nine  'It's Your Neighbourhood' community gardening groups, such as the Friends of the Byes, the SVA, the Friends of Glen Goyle, and others: the Sidmouth Arboretum, the Chairman's Garden and the Volunteer Inn seating area.  A buffet lunch was served at the home of Sidmouth in Bloom chair Lynette Talbot.

Camilla told  Sidmouth in Bloom she was impressed with the number of volunteer groups who work so hard to make Sidmouth look beautiful.  

Following the visit, Lynette Talbot expressed her personal gratitude to the 'Sidplanters' for their dedication to improving the town, their weed clearing  and planting in the constant rain, and also for their good camaraderie throughout the year. She also thanked East Devon District Council's Streetscene team for their continued support, and also to Hilary Nelson for producing the 30-page portfolio.