FORMER town councillor Richard Skeggs narrowly beat two other businesses to scoop one of the top awards in this year s Chatteris in Bloom competition. His success, at the annual awards night, was a far cry from his embarrassment of last month when he saw

FORMER town councillor Richard Skeggs narrowly beat two other businesses to scoop one of the top awards in this year's Chatteris in Bloom competition.

His success, at the annual awards night, was a far cry from his embarrassment of last month when he saw his son's antics in destroying hanging baskets plastered over the Cambs Times after a video was put on an internet site.

His son Jonathan collected an £80 on the spot fine for criminal damage for an offence that saw the images flashed across the world.

But on Saturday his father collected a prestigious shield and certificate in recognition of his efforts in making the Cross Keys Hotel one of the town's top floral attractions.

"The competition was judged by committee members and two independent judges," said town mayor, Councillor Sue Elam. "People always comment that the Cross Keys, indeed that whole corner of town, looks fantastic."

Cllr Elam said the antics of Jonathan Skeggs had not detracted at all from the awards night and she was delighted with the huge turn out at the King Edward Centre.

"To be honest we get very little vandalism of the town's floral displays," said Cllr Elam. "It's usually when adults have been out drinking, and youths may sometimes unfairly get the blame. People in the town are proud of what we do- we've even heard stories of people taking a plant pot in the night when they've had a drink and by morning, realising what they've done, sneaking round to put it back."

She said Chatteris was looking to improve on the silver gilt won in this year's competition and was looking to the district council and county council to ensure they played their part in keeping up the standard.

"It's the next tier of authority who has got to get their finger out," she said. "The judges, for example, made comment on the verges although to be fair they had been cut two weeks before the judges visited but with all the rain they had grown rather quickly."

Next year, she added, Chatteris was "going for gold" and spirits in the town were high and confidence growing.

RESULTS:

Anglia In Bloom Certificate of Recognition

Mrs. P. Hopkins-Flower Bed on entrance coming in from Ely

Mr. R. Smith-Outstanding contribution to Chatteris In Bloom, helping us to put up baskets, take them down, use his farm to fill tank and recharge milk float battery, help with making float fit for use providing us with water tank ,pumps, hoses and continued advice and support since we started.

Ann Geary- Planting with Margaret Fox all the displays throughout the town.

Emmanuel Church-Flower Displays

Richard Graham- Help in planting Church Lane Car Park and continued support of in bloom project.

Bob the FDC Cleaner- Doing over and above his FDC job for in bloom and working with us to getting Chatteris looking cleaner, tidier and the best looking town in the Fens. Anglia in Bloom Certificate of Involvement - Youth

Kingsfield School-Continued support to in Bloom project showing judges' courtyard area, all senses garden, nursery age planting scheme.

Acorn Playgroup- Singing 'I Can Sing a Rainbow' to the judges, the theme this year. Cromwell Community College -Pond renovation

Chatteris Beavers-Planting meadow at the back of St Peter & St Paul Church

Molly Abblitt- Logo designer continued use on all stationery, clothing and milk float.

Scarecrow Competition

1st-One Man and His Dog :42, The Hawthorns

2nd-Sister Anna Glypta: The Old Bakery, Market Hill

3rd-Not George and the Dragon but John and the Dragonflies: 58 Westbourne Road

Business-Best Frontage Chatteris In Bloom

1st-Shield and Certificate

Cross Keys

2nd Certificate -Elizabeth's Florist

3rd-Certificate- Honest John Public House

Highly commended Certificates-Chatteris In Bloom Business Best Frontage

Bramley House

Chatteris House

Aspinalls

DIY Keith Weall

21st Century

Petrou's Fish and Chip Shop

Best Garden on Route

1st Cup and certificate - Anne Geary 122 High Street

2nd certificate-Mr and Mrs. R. Childs 8a Park Street

3rd certificate-Barbara Duguid -Walk Cottage St Martins Road

Highly commended certificates:- Janet Smith- 4 St Martins Road

Commended Certificates- Mr and Mrs G Palmer-54 High Street, Mr and Mrs J Watts 34 Railway Lane, Lillian Brooks 27 Ashgrove, Joan Coe 28 Ash Grove

Best Garden

1st cup and certificate- Andrew Hay 8 Millfield

2nd -certificate 32A New Road

3rd - Anne Geary - 122 High Street

Most committed and hard working certificate

Presented to Margaret Fox for all her planting, fundraising and cooking for the 'in bloom' project.