Secret gardens have been unearthed as part of the most diverse Colchester in Bloom competition ever.

Blooming difficult - Judges decide

A panel of four judges armed with clipboards had the pleasure of sampling the hidden gems of the borough yesterday. They made their way around the area in a minibus to inspect about 50 entries from residential gardens to business premises.

The new mayor and mayoress of Colchester, John and Shelagh Bouckley, vice-chairman of the chamber of commerce, Tracey Seath, and editor of the Gazette's sister paper the Essex County Standard, Jo Robinson, had a lively debate trying to separate the good from the great.

But town centre manager Chris Rawlinson remained tight-lipped on the eventual winners. She said people would have to wait until the award ceremony at the town hall on October 4.

For the first time the winners will be put forward to battle it out in the Anglia in Bloom competition on July 22.

Published Tuesday July 13, 2004

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