The RHS Britain in Bloom UK Finals returned recently after a two year absence, with an increased focus on the environment.

Grow for Talgarth have been awarded Gold in the Large Village category - the only group in Wales to achieve the award.

The Breconshire group were among 45 finalists from across the UK, who were nominated to the finals after impressing the judges in their regional and national competitions. The finalists rose to the challenge of limiting their environmental impact, with more water butts, recycled materials and drought-tolerant species than ever before seen in their displays.

Amersham in Buckinghamshire took the top prize, being crowned overall winner alongside securing a gold medal and winning their category (Town), wowing judges with their stunning sustainable displays, innovative projects and engagement with the community. The town also scooped the Sustainability Award for their holistic approach to planet-friendly horticulture, ensuring there were flowering varieties year-round, swapping out short lived annuals and increasing wildflowers in the town by 30 per cent.

The two other Welsh finalists that joined Grow for Talgarth in the UK finals were Denbigh in Bloom and Prestatyn in Bloom, which both achieved Silver Gilt awards.

Darren Share, Chair of the RHS Britain in Bloom judges, said: “Congratulations to all the finalists for putting on such impressive displays this year while embracing sustainable horticulture. We enjoyed seeing the forward-thinking ways groups are working to make their planting more resilient to climate change and also contributing to carbon reduction in their communities.

“Amersham were well-deserving winners, with their stunning horticulture backed up with a holistic approach to benefiting nature and the environment.”

Rachel de Thame, presenting the awards, commented: “It has been fantastic to celebrate gardening groups from across the UK who contribute so much to their communities. From helping wildlife, to engaging young people in the power of plants and helping grow a green future, all of the volunteers work tirelessly to create areas local people can be proud of. Britain is most certainly blooming.”

Winners were presented with their trophies at the RHS Britain in Bloom 2022 awards ceremony, held this afternoon in London, and unveiled to the public on BBC One’s The One Show.