Firstly, just prior to the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights in the Square on 26 November, the Mayor Cllr Carol Butter announced the winner for the town council ‘Volunteer of the Year Award’. Wimborne in Bloom – one of three finalists – was crowned the winner. The prize was £100 and the honour of helping the mayor switch on the lights.

In second place was the Wimborne Food Bank and third place went to Avril, a volunteer at the Lewis Manning Charity Shop.

The mayor said. “It has been a privilege to meet so many inspirational people who have given their time selflessly and without hesitation to the benefit of the town and its residents.”

The following day, Wimborne in Bloom celebrated the 30th anniversary of its formation. It was on 27 November 1992 that the then mayor Anthony Oliver organised an open meeting in the Heritage Centre, the result of which was the founding of Wimborne in Bloom. In the intervening years, many awards have been won including the overall winner of the Small Town Category with a Gold Award in Britain in Bloom in 2012.

Anthony and his wife Christine hosted a lunch for the committee to celebrate the anniversary. Susie Gatrell made a cake to mark the occasion and the town crier Chris Brown gave a ‘special cry’ for the event.