THE Mayor of Bovey Tracey has planted a cherry tree as a thank-you to businesses and residents who helped the town once again win a gold award at this year’s South West in Bloom competition.

The sapling sits in a spot favoured by families and will provide shelter as it grows over the coming years.

The planting ceremony took place despite persistent wet weather, and was made possible by town council employees Peter Stanyon and Roger Rance who prepared the ground

Cllr Sheila Brooke said: ‘We’re committed to planting as many trees as we can in Bovey Tracey as part of our green pledge made a few years ago.

‘We’ve been very fortunate this sapling has been donated by the Devon Wildlife Trust’s Saving Devon’s Treescapes initiative and it’s called a Landmark Tree.

‘We’re putting it here to say thank you to all the residents and businesses who have worked so tirelessly over the last few years to achieve such great results at the South West in Bloom competition.’

Also helping out was resident Richard Taylor, of the Friends of Mill Marsh Park Group.

Cllr Brooke said: ‘Richard started the South West in Bloom project for the town many years ago and has been our chief instigator ever since so many thanks in particular to him.’

Friends of Mill Marsh Park plan to prepare a tree register for the popular park.

Mr Taylor added: ‘Mill Marsh Park is enjoyed by many people, it’s one of the best parks in the area.

‘It’s marvellous to have another tree planted here.’

Peter Stanyon offered some advice on the best way to encourage the tree to grow.

‘Plant it in a square hole to prevent the root growth from going in a circle and keeping close in,’ he said.

A recent arboricultural survey of the park revealed the presence of some ‘champion’ trees which are the biggest of their kind in the country.

Plans are being made to recognise these in the New Year and improve the existing Tree Trail.