The start of the gardening season has been marked by the official launch of Farnham in Bloom 2014.

Over 40 people representing local villages, businesses, schools, voluntary groups and community groups joined the Mayor of Farnham, Cllr Paddy Blagden for the launch reception.

This year is extra special for Farnham because as well as entering South and South East in Bloom, the town has been selected from more than 1,000 entrants to take part in the Britain in Bloom UK Finals 2014 and will be representing the south east.

Councillor Jeremy Ricketts, Lead Member for Farnham in Bloom says: “It was a pleasure to meet so many people who have already committed to support our campaign. There are many ways the community can get involved, for example there are opportunities to sponsor a town centre hanging basket or, if you have green fingers, you could plant your own hanging basket and enter it into our secret garden competition. We also want to hear from residents who would like to see a particular patch of public land tidied up, as we may be able to help.”

Hamptons International is the Farnham in Bloom corporate sponsor for the third year running. Andrew Blagden of Hamptons International and who manages the Farnham Office attended the launch and says: “We are delighted to be associated with this fantastic initiative which is about so much more than flowers. As a gold winner of South and South East in Bloom, the Town Council has demonstrated its commitment to the environment by organising community litter picks, removing graffiti and creating green spaces that are a haven for wildlife and people. The efforts of everybody involved in Farnham in Bloom contribute greatly towards making Farnham a fantastic place to live.”

The enthusiasm and efforts of local school children will add greatly towards this year’s Farnham in Bloom competition. Participating schools will soon be planting hanging baskets for display in Castle Street and at their school. Schools will also be competing with each other to see who can produce the best upside down tomato or the most bountiful strawberry in a boot.

Farnham Town Council is grateful to the Farnham in Bloom Community Group and the sponsors of Farnham in Bloom which include: • Corporate: Hamptons International • Gold: The Farnham Institute • Silver: The Patio Black Spot Removal Company • Silver: South East Water • Gold sponsorship in kind: Squire’s Garden Centre • Gold sponsorship in kind: Forest Lodge Garden Centre