The results of Britain in Bloom have been announced and Farnham is delighted to have won Silver Gilt in the Large Town category.
The prestigious Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom UK Finals Awards Ceremony took place in Birmingham on Friday 14 October and was hosted by TV Gardening Expert Chris Beardshaw.
To be invited to take part in Britain in Bloom is a great honour and achievement for Farnham and is evidence that Farnham in Bloom has reached a consistently high standard over several years. Farnham was one of only ten areas from across the UK chosen to compete in the Large Town category of the awards. Farnham’s medal, the second highest available, confirms its position as one of the greenest and most beautiful large towns in the country.
Speaking about the award, John Ward, Mayor of Farnham said: “We are so proud to have won this award. This is the twelfth award to be won by the team in 2016. Farnham in Bloom is very much a community effort and so we see this as collective recognition for all the hard work put in by our community groups, and many individuals and sponsors, including our corporate sponsor BBS Ltd, to improve Farnham’s environment.”
Stephen Hill, Lead Councillor for Farnham in Bloom said: “The In Bloom campaign has been very positive for Farnham with a whole series of initiatives including over 30 regular litter pickers and workshops for children. Every year we see more and more people getting involved in Farnham in Bloom and this year has been no exception with some 12,500 volunteer hours and £20,000 of sponsorship and in-kind support from over 80 local businesses.”
The RHS Britain in Bloom Awards ceremony celebrates the huge contribution made by the 300,000 Bloom volunteers whose hard work and dedication help transform what are often grey and unloved areas into greener, cleaner and more beautiful spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Over the summer, teams of RHS judges travelled the length and breadth of the country to see the 72 finalists’ Bloom campaigns to determine who would lift the top prizes. Each finalist was assessed against three key criteria: community participation, environmental responsibility and of course, horticultural achievement.
Chairman of the UK Judging Panel, Roger Burnett said: “This has been a truly outstanding year for Britain in Bloom with local communities devoting tremendous amounts of time and effort into greening grey areas and sharing the many health and social benefits of horticulture.
“The judges were very impressed by the way communities refused to let the many challenges they faced hold them back. The finalists’ desire and determination to make their environment as green and pleasant as possible was truly humbling.
“We as judges are privileged to have a front row seat to see Britain in Bloom volunteers change the lives of thousands through their work. And it’s fitting that their efforts are recognised and celebrated.”
The 72 Britain in Bloom finalists were vying for Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver or Bronze medals, category winner awards and discretionary awards for achieving excellence in particular fields.
