Britain is a nation of avid gardeners and Farnham is no exception. This year’s competitions, which have been held as part of Farnham in Bloom, have been very popular with green-fingered residents.

The Secret Garden competition received nearly 30 entries from around Farnham and surrounding villages. There were eight categories to enter, which included Best Courtyard sponsored by the Patio Blackspot Removal Company, Best wildlife garden sponsored by Surrey Wildlife Trust and best public house sponsored by Forest Lodge Garden Centre.

The entries were judged by Audrey Jackman who is also a judge for the Surrey Horticultural Federation and she described the winners as ‘exceptional in their category’.

The Hop Blossom received a special mention for its impressive hop blossom arch, which frames the main entrance to the pub.

Farnham Town council’s allotments have also been scoured by judges who have been in search of the best allotment plot on each site, the best overall plot and best newcomer’s plot.

Councillor Stephen Hill, Lead Member for Farnham in Bloom says: “The judges were praiseworthy of the standard of all competition entries. Considering the warm summer we have enjoyed, they were particularly impressed by the healthy condition of the allotments. To decide which allotment deserved to be crowned best of the best, the judges looked for a neat, weed and pest free plot with a wide range of fruit, vegetables and flowers.”

The best newcomer’s plot was awarded to Mrs S Ware from West Street allotment. The judges described what she had achieved in a year as ‘brilliant’. Mrs Ware also impressed the judges and won first prize in the scarecrow competition for her Lady Gaga scarecrow made from recycled materials.

The last of the schools’ competitions will be judged in September and include the tallest sunflower and best upside down tomato. The quest to find the largest allotment-grown pumpkin will be judged in October.

Winners will be presented with their prizes on 9 October at a reception sponsored by Squire’s Garden Centre.

Results of the Secret Garden competition:

Best Courtyard Category

Gold Award – Mr J Durham

Silver Award – Bells Solicitors

Bronze Award – Mr and Mrs I Webster

Highly commended – Mrs P Hayes

Best Large Garden Category

Gold Award – Mr A S Hill-Reid

Silver Award – Mr and Mrs M Lyons

Best Front, Back or Small Garden Category

Gold Award – Mr D Larby

Silver Award – Mrs C Sargent

Bronze Award – Mr and Mrs I Webster

Very highly commended – Mrs L Richardson

Highly commended – Mr and Mrs C Tuckwell; Ms N Hope; Mrs J Risdon; Mr and Mrs Bilett and Mrs M Rees

Best Public House

Gold Award – The Hop Blossom

Silver Award – The Nelson

Bronze Award – The Queens Head

Best Hanging Basket/Container

Gold Award – Ms N Hope

Silver Award – The Queens Head

Bronze Award – Mrs M Rees

Highly commended – Mr and Mrs I Webster

Schools’ Award

Gold Award – Badshot Lea Infants’ School

Silver Award – Folly Hill Infants’ School

Bronze Award – Weybourne Infants’ School

Special Award – Ridgeway School

Best Wildlife Garden

Gold Award – Mr and Mrs I. Webster

Silver Award – Weybourne Infants’ School

Gardener of the Year Award – Mr A S Hill-Reid

Allotment site winners 2014:

Morley Road – Mr P Massey

Wrecclesham – Mr M Guy and Mrs S Hunt

Six Bells – Mr R and Mrs A Page

Alderley Farm – Mr R Butcher

West Street – Mr D Allen

West Street Extension – Mr and Mrs P Keiller

Farnborough Road – Mr M Nicholls

Shepherd & Flock – Mrs Main

Best Overall Plot on all Farnham Town Council allotment sites for 2014: Mr and Mrs McDermott – Wrecclesham allotment.