Chatteris wins ‘Gold’ and dedicates it to in Bloom stalwart Gloria Prior

Chatteris has scored its sixth ‘Gold’ in the region’s leading floral competition.

Winners of Anglia in Bloom 2024 were announced on Friday at the Carnegie Theatre in Thetford, with the Fenland town narrowly missing out on being crowned best town.

Entrants from across the region celebrated as they vied for honours and to be named one of the category winners.

Chatteris, who at one point was facing being banned from hanging baskets on the town’s lampposts amid a health and safety row, was hoping to repeat its success of last year when it celebrated its best-ever results in the competition being crowned overall winner in the Town Category, tied with Huntingdon.

Chatteris then went on to represent the region at the Britain in Bloom competition, where it also won ‘Gold’.

Despite the controversy earlier in the year, the team of volunteers managed to put 40 hanging baskets on lampposts across the town centre, as well as creating special displays elsewhere.

Huntingdon once again won in the large town category while Filby, in Norfolk, was named best village.

Cambridgeshire’s Sawtry beat off stiff competition from Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, to be named the best small town.

Chatteris missed out on the top town prize to Brandon in Suffolk, but the team of Chatteris in Bloom volunteers was more than happy with a ‘Gold’ award.

Anne Wells, chair of Chatteris in Bloom, dedicated the award to long-standing member Gloria Prior, who died in October.

Posting to the group’s Facebook page she said: “Well done the Chatteris’s in Bloom Team, all volunteers, all supporters, our council and donators.

“You are all worth your weight in gold. Despite the health and safety issues with our baskets, we have Gold for the sixth time in a row. A big thank you to all the media for your coverage.

“This year we would like to dedicate our Gold award to our long-standing member, fundraiser, and dear friend Gloria Prior, who sadly passed away last October.”