COLCHESTER’S gold medal streak in the Anglia in Bloom competition has come to an end after it won silver at the annual awards ceremony.

Colchester in Bloom has helped the town claim the gold medal in the City category for up to 200,000 residents in each of the past five years.

The Anglia in Bloom judges were given a tour of Colchester back in July as they assessed the town ahead of this year’s awards ceremony.

Volunteers had worked tirelessly to clean up and make the area look its best but it was not enough to sway the judges who awarded Leighton Linslade this year’s gold medal and subsequently brought Colchester’s run to an end.

Norwich was once again crowned overall winners in the City category during yesterday’s ceremony in Great Yarmouth.

Colchester in Bloom is made up of ten volunteers and is responsible for floral displays throughout the town.

There was further disappointment for the team on Thursday as it was also unable to defend its gold medal in the Large Parks category.

Last year’s overall winner, High Woods Country Park, won the silver gilt for the 10 acres and above category, while Castle Park was handed the silver medal.

Colchester did at least have the consolation of winning gold in the cemetery over 10 acres award, which was an improvement on the previous year’s silver gilt.

Pam Schomberg, chairman of the Colchester in Bloom committee, admitted she was disappointed with the outcome and labelled the snub of High Woods Country Park and Castle Park “unbelievable”.

She said: “It could have gone better.

“We didn’t have a good day when the judges came but I think we deserved a gold medal.

“Everyone worked so hard and made the town look fantastic.

“We are not too disappointed though, we will just have to do better next time.”

Mrs Schomberg and the rest of the Colchester in Bloom team will now turn their attentions towards the Britain in Bloom awards.

Colchester is just one of seven places across the UK to be nominated for the small city award.

The winner will be announced during a ceremony in Llandudno, Wales, on October 27.

Mrs Schomberg added: “We had a much better day when the Britain in Bloom judges came so we are quietly confident we will do better.”

Elsewhere during Thursday’s Anglia in Bloom awards ceremony, there was some good news for a number of Colchester’s neighbouring towns and villages.

Frinton continued its dominance in the small town of up to 6,000 residents category as it won gold and the overall award once again.

Halstead matched Frinton’s success in the town of up to 12,000 residents category, while Maldon followed closely behind with the gold medal.

Weeley endured a mixed afternoon as its crematorium won gold, but it could only claim silver in the Village category.

Bob Ollier, chairman of Anglia in Bloom, thanked all the participants for their efforts and hard work.

He said: “This year standards have continued on from last year with excellent awards achieved, the outstanding community work, many resourceful projects and superb floriferous displays have all added to fantastic community entries with 50 gold, 27 silver gilt, nine silver, one bronze awarded.

“I congratulate all the communities in the Anglia region,for the enthusiasm, commitment and effort made to improve, develop and sustain local environments across our region, it is a great credit to you all.”