VOLUNTARY groups have been thanked by Abergavenny town council for the part they played in helping the town win Gold at this year’s Wales in Bloom awards.

The award recognises the excellent work of Abergavenny’s many voluntary groups and members of the local community in helping make the town an attractive place to visit.

This year’s event marked the return of the awards after last year’s competition was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic, with Abergavenny going one better than 2019 when they picked up the Silver Guild award.

The awards were held in Beaumars in Anglesey earlier this month where Abergavenny town councillor Tony Konieczny was in attendance to pick up the award on the town’s behalf.

Councillor Konieczny said: “We are delighted that our town has won Gold this year. None of this would have been possible without our amazing volunteers and this award rewards those different groups and community members working towards the shared goal of helping our town.”

The award is the culmination of Abergavenny town council working with several local groups including the volunteers at Friends of Bailey Park, Sarah Price Landscapes and Our Lady and St Michael’s primary school.

With funding from the town council and a Places in Nature grant, flower beds on the high street, Bailey Park and Castle Meadows have been improved and raised.

Volunteers from Keep Abergavenny Tidy also contributed towards the town’s efforts by organising litter-picks before this year’s judging took place. Representatives from different community groups including volunteers at Lind Vista Gardens and Friends of Bailey Park were in attendance when Wales in Bloom judge John Woods visited for a walk around town with Cllr Tony Konieczny.

Cllr Konieczny added: “This award was a real community event and reflects the pride everyone has for the town. On behalf of the council, I would like to thank everyone involved for their help and support and congratulate them on this wonderful achievement.”

Friends of Bailey Park chairperson Judith Vicary said: “We as a group are extremely proud and thrilled to hear that we had played a significant part in enabling Abergavenny to win a Gold Award. “Our incredible, hard-working team in Bailey Park have gone above and beyond to try and give its resident and visitors alike, beautiful gardens they can enjoy to the full, and it’s wonderful to know these efforts are being rewarded.”