Two seafront hotels in Tenby have once again been flying the floral flag for the resort, enjoying success at this year’s Wales in Bloom event.

The Giltar Hotel along the Esplanade struck Gold once again by winning the best ‘Hotel Front’ when the results for the 2018 competition were announced at a ceremony in Colwyn Bay.

Runners up with a Gold were The Atlantic Hotel, improving on last year’s award of a Silver Gilt at the awards ceremony

Simon Rowlands, gardener at the Giltar said: “I have always painted with flowers. You can paint a picture or you can create a 3D picture by jumping into it!”

His bosses at the Giltar Hotel, Malcolm Brace and Pat Jenkins said they were delighted that the judges once again recognised Simon’s ‘eye-catching’ displays.

“Again our gardener Simon has done us proud with superb colour, arrangement of plants and greenery,” remarked Malcolm

“This year Simon introduced ‘Bird and Insect’ boxes which have been encouraging visiting Wrens. Brightly coloured plant mixes have been used to good effect across the front of the hotel along with is topiary figures, which the visitors adore, stopping to take pictures.

“Both Pat and myself are very pleased the way the hotel is looking and are proud to receive the Gold award thanks again to Simon.”

A little along the Esplanade seafront, and Simon’s two sons George and Tobin are tasked with the duty of keeping the Atlantic Hotel’s floral credentials blossoming.

“We were delighted to receive a Gold Award from Wales in Bloom and are immensely proud of our gardeners George and Tobin,” said the hotel’s manager Nicky Rees.

“We would like to thank them for all their hard work and dedication, ensuring that our gardens look stunning all year round,” she added.

In the class for ‘Large villages’ - Usk took the title with another golden display with Saundersfoot and Beaumaris receiving Silver awards.

“We are very pleased with the result, especially as there was a lot more entries in our category this year, meaning more competition, so to get a silver again after last year is very pleasing indeed,” said Saundersfoot in Bloom chair Clr. Rosemary Hayes.

Lydstep Beach Caravan Park enjoyed success too with a Gold in the ‘Class 13b for Caravans, Static or Touring, Camping and Holiday Home Sites (Over 100 Units)’ category.

At the end of the ceremony, Wales in Bloom said goodbye to its longstanding President, Clive Addison. Clive has in his time been an ‘in Bloom’ entrant, judge and organiser.

On retirement he said: “It has been tremendous fun, I’ve had a great time, made great friends and most importantly I know that you all will carry on making Wales more beautiful through horticulture.”