The winners of this year’s South and South-East in Bloom competition have been announced with Farnham in Bloom picking up a bunch of gold awards. 

For the first time ever, the judges awarded West Street Cemetery with Gold. The Town Centre and Large Town category received Gold for the tenth and ninth consecutive year and Badshot Lea Cemetery picked up a Gold award too. Gostrey Meadow which Farnham Town Council only started managing two years ago won Silver Gilt and was just two points off Gold. 

Farnham’s community groups are also to be congratulated. space2grow was awarded Outstanding in ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’, Silver Gilt in the ‘Our Community’ category and a Gold special award for ‘Growing your Community’. Badshot Lea Bloomers were awarded ‘advancing’ and Hale Community Centre ‘thriving’ in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ category. 

The awards were announced at a virtual ceremony on Friday 17 September which was attended by the Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Alan Earwaker together with members of the Farnham in Bloom team. 

Councillor Earwaker says: “I am so proud that thanks to an amazing community effort, Farnham in Bloom has pulled off another showstopping performance at South and South East in Bloom. 

“After last year’s virtual judging, we were delighted to welcome the judges to Farnham earlier this summer so they could see for themselves what has gone into the 2021 entry. The judges met many members of the community who have been involved in Farnham in Bloom and heard about projects such as how we joined forces with Farnham Heath End School to create a peaceful garden away from the hustle and bustle of school and how a group of boys from Weydon put their energy to good use and helped plant bulbs in a community space.”

Other projects have included a new bright and cheery planting scheme in Gostrey Meadow which has achieved many appreciative comments from park users, community-wide competitions to get people interested in gardening plus the planting of 250 hanging baskets and many planters.

Councillor Earwaker says: “There is no doubt that there is more to Farnham in Bloom than flowers. It feeds people’s desire to plant, tend, harvest and enjoy their outdoor space and serves as a vehicle to increase wellbeing as well as nurture people’s interest in their environment and pride in our public green spaces. It is thanks to our Principal sponsor, The Patio Blackspot Removal Company Ltd, and the many businesses that support us that we are able to achieve so much.”

The success of Farnham in Bloom relies upon the enthusiasm of an army of volunteers. If you are interested in being part of the 2022 campaign, please email bloom@farnham.gov.uk to find out about the opportunities for getting involved.