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Caerphilly town centre has enjoyed more success at the Wales in Bloom competition, winning yet another award – while Ystrad Mynach was also crowned a winner.

Caerphilly town clinched first place and won a gold award in the town centres category at the competition, which was held in Talgarth, Powys, after judging took place back in July.

It is the first time Caerphilly town has ever won a gold award at the annual event.

Funded by Caerphilly Town Council and run by the Caerphilly in Bloom group, the competition sees the town centre decorated with plant troughs and hanging baskets during the summer months.

Reacting to the win, Councillor James Fussell, who is Chair of Caerphilly in Bloom, said: “I am speechless and over the moon with winning Gold. It makes all the hard work and effort worthwhile.”

Included in Caerphilly’s entry were displays at Caerphilly Railway Station, Dafydd Williams Park, Coffi Vista and the Caerphilly Miners’ Centre.

It followed on from success in 2021, when Caerphilly town clinched first place in the city and town centre category  – pipping Penarth to top spot.

Meanwhile, Ystrad Mynach won the Small Towns category and received a Silver Gilt award, with the entry funded by Gelligaer Community Council.

Simon Beacham, representing Caerphilly County Borough Council at the competition, said: “Ceri Mortimer, clerk to Gelligaer Community Council, and all of the council and In Bloom group will be delighted with this news.”

The competition also saw success for the Friends of Morgan Jones Park Community Allotments, which achieved silver at the allotments category.

Meanwhile, St Martin’s Green Gardening Group, St Andrew’s Community Garden in Penyrheol and Castle View Community Group were all ranked as “thriving” by the judges – which is the second best category in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ category.

Following a tribute to and a minute’s silence for Queen Elizabeth II at the competition, Wales in Bloom chairperson, Peter Barton-Price, said: “Today is a celebration of a whole year’s commitment and effort.

“This year we saw each other without masks, shook each other’s hands and met together. Today is the day that we celebrate your efforts and your achievements.”