Judges from Britain in Bloom have given an enthusiastic response to Farnham’s entry into the nationwide community gardening campaign.

The judges arrived on Tuesday 2 August and were shown a short video, which highlighted some of the Farnham in Bloom projects and introduced volunteers who have been involved in this year’s entry. As part of their visit, the judges went to Middle Bourne Lane Community Garden before stopping at the West Street allotments where they met children and parents from St. Andrew’s School and the school’s scarecrow Mr Twit!

The judges saw St. Andrew’s allotment plot and heard how the school uses it as an outdoor classroom. As well as their impressive crop of beans and potatoes, the children were proud to show the judges their large bug hotel and a reflective pear prayer tree where they had attached prayers they had written.

Farnham Town Clerk, Iain Lynch said: “While at West Street allotments, we took the opportunity to show the judges Farnham Town Council’s greenhouses where we grow the plants for the containers and hanging baskets.

“The judges met John Ely and Martin Billett who are very active supporters of Farnham in Bloom and leading members of the Farnham in Bloom Community Group. They both work extensively with Post 19, which is an organisation for young adults with learning difficulties and this work was commended by the judges. The greenhouses were also where the Bloomin’ Kids workshops took place. This was a new initiative for 2016 aimed at encouraging younger children to enjoy planting and to get involved in Farnham in Bloom.”

For the second half of the tour, the judges were taken to Castle Street, Central car park, which is where the schools’ hanging baskets are displayed, Gostrey Meadow, South Street, Victoria Garden and Bishop’s Meadow.

The tour was rounded off with a reception at Farnham Town Council. The judges were able to meet many sponsors including the corporate sponsor BBS Ltd and members of the Farnham in Bloom community who have donated 12,500 hours to Farnham in Bloom this year. The judges complimented the volunteers and Farnham in Bloom team on the great efforts, that were clear to see, in making Farnham look so good.

Other towns to have been invited to enter the Large Town category in Britain in Bloom include Perth, Wisbech and Ryde. The results will be announced at the RHS Britain in Bloom Awards on 14 October.

The main sponsors of Farnham in Bloom include:

• Corporate sponsor BBS Ltd
• Gold sponsors: The Patio Black Spot Removal Company, Graduate Landscapes, Forest Lodge, Squires Garden Centre.
• Silver sponsor: Bourne Valley Contractors.