SIR, Once again, Newtown has won a fantastic second prize in the SBC Floral Gateway competition and thanks are due to all the local businesses who sponsored hanging baskets or provided their own and to Bob Johnson from Philiphaugh Plants who filled the baskets with superb flowers and will supply plants for our forthcoming table-top sale.

Bob and Bill Dodds of Buccleuch Plants have both generously donated loads of plants to Newtown in Bloom.

Special mention must go to the Borders College students who, under the leadership of Horticulture lecturer Nigel Gibbs, filled the spectacular planters at Langlands Place and the highly appreciated baskets on the Bridge End wall in the village centre.

Thank you also to Jimmy White and his team who built and installed a bench next to the bus shelter. And thank you to Paul Rooney of Monkswood House for his generous donation.

As ever, a tireless bunch of volunteers has been very active in watering the flowers, weeding and dead-heading and sweeping the pavements. The judges were impressed by the efforts of many private gardeners in Newtown including the couple who have transformed the banking at Church Brae.

And a special thank you to all the village residents who have helped to keep Newtown clean and tidy and who have been unstinting in their support for our table-top sales and other fund raisers.

Thank you all.

I am, etc.

Barbara Graham, Co-ordinator Newtown in Bloom