The Department of Tourism and Leisure is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Island in Bloom competition.
Douglas triumphed in the Large Town category, while Port Erin who achieved the gold award in the Small Town category.
Maughold won best Large village and Ballaugh was successful in the Small Village category.
Ballaugh also achieved first prize in the inaugural Schools category; another new category - Public Buildings - was claimed by the Villa Marina.
Top business premises include the Station Hotel in Port Erin, Kennaugh and Skinner in Port Erin and the Trevelyan Hotel in Douglas.
The Anchorage Guest House in Port Erin also achieved a highly commended award.
The Britain in Bloom competition, under the auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society, aims to encourage communities to make long term improvements to their local environment.
All local authorities on the Isle of Man are invited to participate in the Island in Bloom competition each year, which is co-ordinated by the Department of Tourism and Leisure, and the overall winner goes forward to represent the Island in the Britain in Bloom finals.
Martyn Quayle MHK, Minister for Tourism and Leisure, said, "This year the standard of entries was very high in the Island in Bloom competition and it is clear that all of the residents and businesses take pride in their environment.
"I would like to congratulate Douglas for their achievement in winning the overall competition and I wish them every success in the 2010 Britain in Bloom competition."
Ramsey represented the Isle of Man in the 2009 Britain in Bloom finals and we wish them every success ahead of the results being announced in Torbay on 23rd September.
The Department of Tourism and Leisure has expressed thanks to the judges, Pat Goodway and Christine Morris, who spent three days driving round the Island to judge the competition, and Derek Mulhern, who escorted them to each destination.
Other winners in this year’s individual categories of the competition include Mr John Ainley from Sulby, Mr and Mrs Radcliffe from Colby and Cooil Ny Chibbyr in Andreas.
A full list of winners can be obtained by contacting Rachele Quayle at the Department of Tourism and Leisure on (01624) 686806.
