Glastonbury has firmly established itself as one of Somerset’s standout successes in this year’s Britain in Bloom competition, taking home a prestigious gold award in the town category. In addition, Glastonbury won the coveted Discretionary Award for Exceptional Public Engagement in Arts and Culture, reinforcing its role as a leading force in this year’s event.

The Glastonbury in Bloom team impressed judges with vibrant floral displays and active community involvement in environmental projects. Their work, which includes engaging local schools and groups in everything from tree planting to creative cultural activities, helped the town shine on a national stage.

At the recent Britain in Bloom awards ceremony, the Glastonbury in Bloom team celebrated their Discretionary Award for Exceptional Public Engagement in Arts and Culture. A highlight of this effort is the Glastonbury Mural Trail, which unites artists, schools, and community groups to transform the town into a dynamic open-air gallery. The 70 murals around Glastonbury showcase local landscapes, history, and street art culture, with three new floral-themed murals created this year to honour the town’s Britain in Bloom entry.

“The Glastonbury Mural Trail celebrated its fifth anniversary this year, and it has spent those five years making Glastonbury into a free, open-air art gallery with something for everyone,” said Glastonbury Town Clerk, Conor Ogilvie-Davidson. “The trail is something that Glastonbury’s residents, visitors, and businesses love to see constantly develop – if you pardon the pun – grow. Kim Von Coels, who leads the project, works tirelessly and passionately, and she was rightly awarded ‘Citizen of the Year’ by the Town Council for 2024.”

While Bath claimed the overall Britain in Bloom title, Glastonbury’s wins brought pride to the town and Somerset as a whole. Yeovil also made a strong showing, receiving a silver gilt in the large town category, and local hero Stephen Fox was recognised with a Community Champion Award for 25 years of service to Yeovil in Bloom.

Reflecting on Glastonbury’s achievements, a spokesperson for Glastonbury in Bloom said, “We’re thrilled to have received this recognition. It’s a testament to the hard work of everyone involved, from our volunteers to the local schools and businesses who support us year after year.”