Farnham Town Council’s outside workforce is well used to winning gold and silver gongs for their contribution to Farnham in Bloom but there is one member of the team whose long service has earned him an extra special award. 

Robin Cooper joined Farnham Town Council in 1996 as an outside general assistant. On 3 June, which is the anniversary of his start date, the Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Alan Earwaker presented Robin with a watch to celebrate his 25 years of service. 

In a speech by the Town Clerk, Iain Lynch, colleagues and councillors learned how Robin came to Farnham after a stint at Charles Hill Nursery and Nelco which made motors for forklifts. Robin was highly commended for his dependability and loyalty and praised for the key role he has played in mentoring young people from the Abbey School who have come to the council for work experience.

The Mayor of Farnham also thanked and praised Robin for helping to make Farnham look ‘fantastic’ and described his anniversary as an occasion few people will get to celebrate in today’s transient world of work. 

When Robin first joined Farnham Town Council the role of the outside team was much smaller and consisted of cutting the grass on roundabouts, looking after the allotments and helping out with Farnham in Bloom when it was run by a voluntary working group. 

Since being appointed, Robin has worked under four town clerks and 21 different Mayors. The outside team now look after cemeteries and several parks and gardens and have helped win 17 gold medals at South and South East in Bloom and two silver gilt and two gold at Britain in Bloom.