TWO NORTH Pembrokeshire towns have shown they have petal power, picking up a gold and a silver gilt at the Britain in Bloom awards last Friday.

Wolfscastle picked up a gold in the small village category, with the judges saying the village's community spirit was "humbling".

"The work of the bloom group has not only improved what nature has provided but has in the village to feel part of a caring society."

The judges said that the village's considerable success at both regional and national levels "pales into insignificance compared to the greater feeling of wellbeing that you get when visiting".

"The judges' visit was a humbling experience," they said. "To witness that community spirit and share in your success is an absolute privilege."

The judges also praised the youth involvement in the Wolfscastle in Bloom group.

This was Wolfscastle's third gold.

"We are delighted that we have won the gold award once again," said Wolfscastle in Bloom's Geoffrey Eynon. "It's a huge achievement for such a small community. We are very proud of that fact."

First time Britain in Bloom entrants, Fishguard, won the silver gilt award in the small coastal category with Fishguard and Goodwick Greening group's Julia Moffet also winning the community champion award.

"We were absolutely bowled over to get that in our first year," said Julia. "It is unprecedented and we were really really proud. When we saw the judges on Saturday morning they said if we follow their guide lines there's no reason why we shouldn't go for gold next year."

The judges remarked on the friendliness of everyone they met in Fishguard and Goodwick and made special mention of Nick Chilton and Martin Hayes' work as well as the grups they met at POINT, Ysgol Glannau Gwaun and the Gateway club..

"How pleasing to see so many people from a variety of background working to brighten up the town," they said.

A 'let's get this sorted out' spirit seems to infuse the community."

Julia was one of only 13 people in the whole of the UK to be named a community champion with the judges praising her drive and warm heartedness.

"When my name was read out I was really really shocked," she said. "That was lovely."

Darren Share, Chair of the RHS Britain in Bloom judges, said: "This year's finalists faced the most challenging conditions the competition has ever seen with much of the country under snow and ice at the start of spring followed by the joint-hottest summer on record.

"That so many groups have walked away with top medals is remarkable and a reflection of communities' hard work, ingenuity and horticultural know-how."