Chatteris, March, Whittlesey, Wisbech – and Fen villages- are celebrating another triumphant year at the Anglia in Bloom awards.

Fenland communities have once again pulled together to display a flurry of colour among a wide number of categories - including a gold for Wisbech - delivering, as chairman Bob Ollier says, “good horticultural standards and outstanding floral displays.

“This is another terrific set of results for Fenland. Wisbech has again excelled. For it to have again won the large town category with yet another gold award – that’s eight in a row – is a fantastic achievement for the town and all the many volunteers, organisations and businesses who put so much effort in every year.”

The manger for parks and open spaces at Fenland District Council, added: “To have come within a whisker of winning the overall Anglia in Bloom trophy is something everyone involved should be extraordinarily proud of.

“What is especially remarkable this year is that we had a nomination in every single special category - 12 in all. I can’t remember us ever achieving that before.”

This year, as well as being awarded gold in the large town category, best cemetery was awarded to Wisbech General Cemetery, something Mr Ollier says is a “brilliant achievement for the Friends of Wisbech General Cemetery group and all those who devote so much love and care to the upkeep of the graveyard.

“They are a small but very dedicated team of volunteers who meet several times a month to carry out all sorts of tasks there.

“Last year they won the award for the best conservation project and if anything they have done even better this time.”

Additionally, the youth members of the Chatteris Royal British Legion should be commended for winning the Best Young Persons project for 12 to 18-year-olds.

Mr Ollier said: “They decided a good way to commemorate the centenary of the First World War would be to find, tidy up and care for the graves and memorials of 30 people who died in the war that are located in the town’s two cemeteries.

“So far they have restored 11 graves and have started work on others. They’ve worked incredibly hard and are very worthy winners.”

George Dawson, chair of judges, commended this year’s entrants, saying: “A community is a winner as soon as it enters into the campaign.

“No matter what the British climate throws at us the entrants in Anglia in Bloom take it all in their stride and make the areas where they live better places.

“I hope we can continue to expand on our entries in 2016, as we firmly believe in what the ‘in Bloom’ does.”

ANGLIA IN BLOOM 2015

CATEGORY ENTRANTS & AWARDS:

Villages (301 – 2,500 residents)

Silver Gilt Awards: Parson Drove

Town (6,001 – 12,000 residents)

Silver Gilt Awards: Chatteris, Whittlesey

Large Town (12,001 – 35,000 residents)

Winner and gold award: Wisbech

Silver Gilt Award: March

Urban Community

Silver Gilt Awards: Waterlees (Wisbech)

Parks (large over 10 acres)

Silver Gilt Awards: West End Park (March) and Wisbech Park

Parks (medium five to 10 acres)

Winner and gold award: St. Peter’s Church Gardens, Wisbech

Cemeteries

Winner and gold award: The General Cemetery, Wisbech

Silver Gilt Award: Whittlesey Cemetery, Garden of Rest, Whittlesey

Silver Awards: New Road Cemetery, Chatteris, Eastwood Cemetery, March and Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Wisbech

Churchyards

Silver Gilt Awards: St. Peter’s Churchyard, Chatteris

Crematoriums

Gold Award: Fenland Crematorium

Best Young Persons Project (12 to 18-years of age)

Winner: Royal British Legion Youth Members, Chatteris