The judges, who evaluated the Town, were most impressed with the involvement at all levels in the community. They said that the pride, sense of community and feeling of accomplishment was most pleasant to note. The whole community excelled in all criteria: tidiness effort, urban forestry, landscaped areas, floral displays, turf and groundcover areas, environmental awareness, heritage preservation and community involvement.This is yet another trophy to add to the many already held by Wetherby reinforcing its claim to truly be an award winning floral town,
News coverage from the Wetherby News
WETHERBY has seen off fierce competition from America, Canada and Japan to take top honours as one of the world's most community minded towns.
It has now been crowned the winner of an elite group of 12 towns selected by invite only to compete for the prestigious international Communities in Bloom title.
Ecstatic organisers said the win, which has praised the involvement of volunteers, businesses and councils at all levels in the community, will raise Wetherby's profile.
Chairman of Wetherby in Bloom and member of the Communities in Bloom steering committee, Geoff Humble, said it was all down to the community pulling together.
"This wasn't just Wetherby in Bloom it was all the community groups. The judges grasped exactly what we were trying to do. The steering group drove it forward but it was everyone's support which made it happen."
Mr Humble said the competition was not just about the flowers.
"It was much bigger than a normal floral competition. The trick was to pull everyone together and we achieved that."
The judges from America and Canada stayed in Wetherby for three days with an intensive six hour judging session.
During that time they were taken to the Communities in Bloom showcase where 35 different groups had displays set up in the Methodist Chapel.
"We never thought we stood a chance," said Mr Humble. "We were amazed and delighted to win."
Mayor of Wetherby Coun Alan Hilton said it was a great win for the town.
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