Wales In Bloom Win

The flower displays at the WHR(P) Porthmadog terminus have won a prize in the prestigious Wales In Bloom competition, for the second year running.

The judges in the competition were particularly impressed by the WHR(P) displays of trailing petunias, such as these. Somewhere underneath the colour there is a wheelbarrow! Steam locomotive Gelert provides a backdrop to the scene.

Wales in Bloom is the main national award for parks and gardens around Wales. Once again, the WHR(P) beat off stiff competition to take the runner up spot in the "Best Kept Station" category.

The judges praised the WHR(P)'s Parks and Gardens Department for the variety of plants on show at the station. They said the quality of the display was stunning, and the station was a credit to everyone involved, not only giving visitors an added treat, but also brightening up the town of Portmadog itself.

Ian Whitley, WHR(P) Parks and Gardens Manager was at the ceremony to collect the award on behalf of the railway. He said: "winning this award two years in a row is a tremendous honour. 2007 hasn't been an easy year for gardeners, with a hot spring and wet summer, so I'm glad our persistence against the elements has paid off!"

James Hewett, Chairman of the WHR(P), added: "the award is a tribute to the hard work by Ian and his team, who've spent hours making sure that the displays were of a high standard throughout the year."