Seasonal cheer is coming to Farnham in abundance as residents are invited to join in the town’s Winter Celebration on Sunday 18 December, bringing to a close the town’s most successful year of Farnham in Bloom. The celebration event takes place between 2.30pm and 3.30pm at Gostrey Meadow.

Farnham Brass Band will lead the music playing a selection of popular Christmas carols. Song sheets will be available for those who would like to join in and warming mulled wine and mince pies will be on sale. The event is free to attend and all are welcome.

“What better way to mark our most successful year of Farnham in Bloom than by bringing together the community to enjoy traditional British Christmas foodie treats and music. We scooped an astonishing 12 awards in Britain in Bloom and South and South East in Bloom thanks to the very hard work of local volunteers and businesses, which is definitely worthy of a celebration,” says Councillor Stephen Hill, Lead Member for Community Enhancement.

He continues: “It was just a few months ago that the whole town was a floral display and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement ready for the judges’ visit. Looking ahead to next year’s In Bloom awards, on sale at the Winter Celebration will be containers of spring flowering bulbs planted by local children who took part in our autumn gardening workshops. They’re the perfect last minute Christmas gift idea and, come spring when they flower, will hopefully enthuse residents to get involved in Farnham in Bloom 2017.”

Proceeds from the sale of the bulb containers will go to Farnham in Bloom and money raised from the refreshments will go to the Mayor’s charity, which is the Friends of Ridgeway Community School.

The Ridgeway is a school for children aged two to 19 with severe and complex learning difficulties. It also has expertise to help children who additionally have autism.