UPTON upon Severn was looking blooming marvellous as judges from Heart of England in Bloom made their annual visit this morning(Monday).

Angela Pendleton and Robin Russell spent two hours casting a keen eye over the town in the company of town mayor Andrea Morgan and Upton in Bloom committee members.

At the end of their tour they were greeted by a large gathering of residents and representatives of local groups and societies at the Old Churchyard.

Upton is a perennial gold award winner in In Bloom competitions and Mrs Pendleton was once again very impressed with what the town had to offer.

“We had a whistlestop tour around all the good things that Upton has to offer and it was a very enjoyable morning,” she said. “I loved the floral arrangements throughout the town. It is difficult to pinpoint anything in particular but I always think of the flower boats as a ‘signature’ of Upton. They are always very well done.”

She also praised Upton’s community involvement and the efforts to introduce new features every year.

“We’ve seen plans talked about last year put into place and are already hearing about ideas for next year,” she said. “It’s a continuous journey.”

Upton in Bloom chairman Jackie Surtees said she felt the judging went very well.

She said: “I think the town looked brilliant this year and that it was one of our very best efforts. We’ve had a lot of assistance from volunteers and I would like to thank everyone who has helped out, particularly the town clerk and caretaker.”

She added that meeting the children at Upton Primary School was one of the highlights of the tour. “They showed the judges the raised beds that were donated to them last year and they were very enthusiastic. It was a very nice atmosphere,” she said.

The Upton in Bloom committee now face a nervous wait until the results are announced during a ceremony at Newcastle under Lyme on Thursday, September 16.

“We are hoping for a gold award again,” said Mrs Surtees. “It’s always a nerve-wracking wait and it never gets any easier.”