THE driving force behind Launceston in Bloom, the late Margaret Wills, has received a posthumous award in recognition of her work.

Margaret, who sadly passed away in January, was nominated for a Cornwall Community Celebration Award certificate by the Launceston in Bloom committee, of which Margaret was chair.

The awards took place at Heartlands on October 25.

Margaret’s lasting legacy to the town includes the millennium oak trees along the Link Road and the hosts of golden daffodils, which revisit every spring.

The town council was informed of Margaret’s award by its representative to Launceston in Bloom, Cllr Jessica Williams.

Although Cllr Williams couldn’t be at the town council meeting on October 16, she sent a written report to council.

Cllr Williams also wrote to Launceston in Bloom supporting Margaret’s nomination for the Cornwall Community Celebration Awards.

She said: “Margaret founded Launceston in Bloom and voluntarily gave 23 years as chairman of the committee to not only plan and organise annual floral planting, but in addition to run an annual competition alongside it for the wider community to participate in, to also plan and organise permanent displays and features, to consult and to offer support and advice to others and most memorably for our town, to organise and plant an avenue of trees and daffodils to celebrate the millennium.

“Margaret’s dedication and determination, supported by the committee and volunteers she led brought together the community so that the people of and visitors to Launceston could enjoy and share the colourful displays that have enhanced our town during the spring and summer year after year. Areas of our town that Launceston in Bloom have created have become well known features and Margaret has left a legacy for the town to continue on and to be inspired by.

“Following the sad and sudden loss of Margaret earlier this year, the committee have given Margaret the fitting tribute they wanted to by organising this year’s beautiful floral display. Margaret always spoke highly of the Launceston in Bloom committee to me and they as well as those closest to Margaret know how much time and effort she gave year after year and how much Margaret has given of herself to Launceston in 23 years to give us the lasting and living gift to the town she has through Launceston in Bloom.

“Thank you for the flowers, Margaret.”