Farnham Town Council has held a celebration to thank members of the community for making the 2016 Farnham in Bloom campaign such a success.

The Farnham in Bloom Awards took place on Thursday 13 October and were hosted by Squire’s Garden Centre. During the afternoon, children from local schools gathered to hear how they had fared in competitions such as the best upside down tomato, best school garden and tallest sunflower.

The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor John Ward presented the awards and said: “Hundreds of children from nearly 20 schools and nurseries got involved in this year’s campaign making it one of the best supported yet. We have received some really positive feedback about the children’s enthusiasm for learning outside and improving their environment.”

The schools’ awards were followed by the community awards, which were attended by around 100 guests. The best examples of horticultural achievement were celebrated with the presentation of prizes and certificates by the Deputy Mayor of Farnham; the Lead Councillor for Farnham in Bloom and representatives from the sponsors BBS Ltd, Squire’s Garden Centre, Forest Lodge Garden Centre and the Patio Black Spot Removal Company.

As well as prizes being awarded to winners of the Allotments and Secret Gardens competition, a number of surprise awards were also announced. Lilian and Peter Richardson won the Secret Gardens Judges’ Award and Donald Larry was crowned Gardener of the Year. The Mayor’s Special Award was presented to John Ely who was described as having ‘gone the extra mile for Farnham’. Over a number of years, John has been involved in a variety of projects including litter picking, bulb planting and developing the Heath End Gardeners’ project.

Speaking after the awards, Councillor Mike Hodge said: “The awards evening is a chance for us to say ‘thank you’ to the many volunteers, schools, community groups and sponsors that offer support to Farnham in Bloom. Everybody involved has contributed towards improving Farnham whether this has been by picking up litter, brightening up an area with some colourful planting or reducing their impact on the environment by growing their own produce. Without doubt, it is the collective effort of our community that enabled Farnham to win an impressive 11 awards at this year’s South and South East in Bloom. We look forward to involving even more people in Farnham in Bloom 2017.”

The winners of awards are:

Schools’ awards

The Mayor of Farnham Councillor John Ward, Cllr Stephen Hill Lead Member for Farnham in Bloom and Sarah Squire from Squire’s Garden Centre presented awards to winners of the schools’ competitions.

• Hanging basket competition – St. Andrew’s Infant School
• Tallest Sunflower – S.t Andrew’s Infant School
• Best Upside Down Tomato – South Farnham Infant School
• Largest Pumpkin – Potters Gate Primary School
• Best Scarecrow – St. Andrew’s Infant School
• Best Flower in a boot – South Farnham Junior School
• The Secret Gardens of Farnham competition Best School Garden – St Peter’s Primary School
• Certificates of Excellence were awarded to St Andrew’s Infant School and Potters Gate Primary School.
• Special Award – Highfield South Farnham Primary School

Community awards

The Deputy Mayor of Farnham, Cllr Mr Mike Hodge and Sarah Squire from Squire’s Garden Centre presented awards to winners of the allotment competition.

• Best Overall plot – Brian & Sue McDermott Page
• Best Newcomer award – Theresa Mead

Both sets of winners have allotments at the Wrecclesham site.

In the Secret Gardens of Farnham competition, The Deputy Mayor of Farnham, corporate sponsor Bob Frost, sponsors Charles Wisden from Forest Lodge and Sarah Squire from Squire’s Garden Centre awarded prizes to:

• John Durham for the best courtyard – sponsored by Patio Blackspot Removal Company
• NFarnham WI – Bake, Natter & Roll for the best hanging basket/container sponsored by Forest Lodge Garden Centre
• The Albion Tavern for the best public house/hotel sponsored by Forest Lodge Garden Centre
• Penny Drew for the best large garden sponsored by Forest Lodge Garden Centre
• Donald Larby for the best front, back or small garden sponsored by Squire’s Garden Centre
• Classical Floral Designs, Borelli Yard for the best shop front sponsored by Squire’s Garden Centre
• Secret Gardens of Farnham Judges Award went to Lilian & Peter Richardson
• The gardener of the year award went to Donald Larby.

Bloomin’ Litter Volunteers came to the front where they were applauded and were each presented with a pair of gardening gloves.

Certificates of excellence

Corporate sponsor Bob Frost presented certificates of excellence to:

• The Dance Movement, Blooming Art-Jo Aylwin, Bourne Conservation Group, The Victoria Garden, the Bourne Beautification Project, Post 19, The Farnham in Bloom Community Group, Farnham Rivers Group, Heath End Gardeners and The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association.

South & South East in Bloom Chairman’s Award was presented to The Bishop’s Meadow Trust

The Mayor’s Special Award went to John Ely of the Farnham in Bloom Community Group.

Sponsors

The main sponsors of Farnham in Bloom 2016 are:

Corporate Sponsor

BBS Ltd

Gold sponsors

Farnham Institute Charity

The Patio Black Spot Removal Company

Gold sponsors in kind

Squire’s Garden Centre

Forest Lodge Garden Centre

Graduate Landscapes