Pub scoops top prize for blooms

4:20pm Thursday 28th August 2008

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A BLOOMING good performance at a Cricklade hostelry has helped the venue go from green to gold.

The Old Bear stands proudly on the corner of the town’s High Street.

And all summer its spectacular hanging baskets, and hay baskets filled with flowers have added much needed colour to the High Street.

Now the blooms have bagged landlord and landlady Steve and Theresa Cleverley two gold gongs in the Cricklade In Bloom competition.

The displays landed the best floral decoration in a pub and the best business titles.

Steve said: “Theresa does all the flower buying, designing and arranging so it’s down to her really.

“But the best thing about this competition is that it has really caught people’s imaginations.

“And because of that people really make an effort with their flowers every year.

“Because of that this competition has become a real part of life in Cricklade.”

Flowers brightening up Cricklade are nothing new.

The town has a long and proud tradition of blossoming in national and regional floral competitions.

Last year it was named best small town in the south west element of the competition and it won a silver gilt award in the national contest.

In July, and again earlier this month, judges were back in the town checking out its displays for the 2008 competitions.

The competition won by Steve and Theresa pitted them against other businesses and boozers in Cricklade – but they were still delighted to come out on top.

“Each year this town is getting better and better thanks to the work of the people behind the In Bloom competition,” said Steve.

“And I think this year we all look so good that we stand a really good chance of winning another award.

“All of this is great for us. We sometimes get people coming into the pub just to say how lovely they think what we have done looks.

“And some other people stop us when we’re out walking the dogs and tell us how nice it looks. And it’s really good to know that people appreciate what you’ve done so much.”