The award of 'Best Kept Village' carries a bittersweet success with it this year as the driving force behind the success of Raglan's numerous wins is standing down after 25 years.

Trevor Phillips, chairman of Raglan in Bloom is hanging up his gardening gloves and standing down from the committee. along with his wife Marlene.

"I am very pleased for the village to have won the Best Kept Village category (1001 - 4999 villagers), it did look very pretty this year with all the jubilee bunting" he told the Beacon this week.

Raglan did not enter the Wales in Bloom competition this year as the committee felt it was unfair to have to compete with the town of Usk in the same category.

"I have had a happy 25 years, seeing my village win the Best Kept Village and Wales in Bloom competitions, but it's time for Marlene and myself to stand down and look to other volunteers to carry on."

The village gained a total of 90 points out of a possible 100, with the judges commenting how pleased they were to "visit your community and find so many well cared for and attractively planted gardens, they are a credit to those who commit their time and effort to achieve such creditable results. The churchyard was well cut and neatly cared for."

Other comments highlighted the litter free area around the Beaufort, with attractive floral displays and planting there, and at The Crown and the Memorial.