The parks department did a grand job again, greatly aided by local schools, businesses and residents in preparing the town for the Britain in Bloom contest.

Once more there was a set piece in front of the Civic hall which featured a mural painted by St. Benedict's pupils, depicting the harbour and mining, nicely set off by a floral pit wheel and a planted coal wagon.

St. Nicholas' Gardens was also splendid with a slightly more naturalistic planting around the church offset by a few formal beds and some height injected using cascades of small bright flowers in multi-tiered pots on the floor of the old church.

Another floral sculpture was this sailing ship at the top of Roper street. Many houses and businesses watered numerous window boxes and planters to maintain an effect seen on the Georgian house hotel above.

A great feature was the involvment of local schools and this was particulary evident in Trinity gardens where each of the local primary schools had a floral bed featuring wicker sculptures.