The organisers of an artistic performance that has been created to celebrate 25 years of Farnham in Bloom have been presented with a cheque by the Mayor of Farnham, Cllr Mrs Pat Frost.

The South Street Trust awarded The Dance Movement’s ‘Farnham Blooming’ project with a grant for £1,500. The money is being used to provide a group of 14 to 16 year olds, who attend The Hub youth group with the opportunity to work alongside a horticulturist artist and dress maker to design, grow and create costumes, head dresses and accessories.

The 12-week long project will culminate on 10 July when the judges from South and South East in Bloom visit Farnham to judge the town’s entry into the large town and town centre categories. The judges will see children from local schools wearing the living costumes while performing specially choreographed dances at nine locations along the judging route.

Councillor Mrs Pat Frost, Mayor of Farnham says: “I had a lovely time meeting some of the people who are behind the project. They had some very imaginative ideas about how to grow plants to create costumes and I am very much looking forward to seeing the end results.”

Explaining how the idea for Farnham Blooming came about, The Dance Movement’s programme director, Rachel Palmer says: “The project was germinated from a personal desire to make a dance project in my town for the people who live in Farnham. We researched the community activities that take place throughout the year and Farnham in Bloom stood out as an event that would lend itself to my dance work. I am thrilled that the project has received financial support as it means we can share our work with Farnham people during this special anniversary year for Farnham in Bloom.”

The Dance Movement was established in 1999 and is the resident dance company at the Farnham Maltings. The Company develops dance opportunities for Farnham’s community and presents professional contemporary dance performances.

The South Street Trust awards around £20,000 a year to art-based educational activities. Find out how to apply for the next round of funding.

Notes for editors:

Farnham Town Council is the trustee of the South Street Trust, which awards £20,000 a year for art-based activities. The Trust was set up following the sale of the Farnham School of Science and Art in 1986/87. The school was established by local philanthropists James and John Knight in 1880 for the ‘instruction of children and adults in drawing, painting, modelling, designing for architecture, manufacture and decoration and for no other purpose’. The proceeds from the sale were invested and it is this that provides an annual income for the grants.

The Mayor of Farnham presents a cheque to The Dance Movement.