Farnham has received a gold medal in the large town category in the prestigious Britain in Bloom awards. This is the third consecutive year that Farnham has won gold in the national competition.
“It’s official: Farnham is a town bursting with talented gardeners and community spirit. Britain in Bloom judges awarded Farnham the gold medal! They were utterly impressed by the beautiful displays, our efforts to be environmentally sustainable, to support biodiversity and to make sure Farnham in Bloom benefits the community now and in the long term,” says Farnham’s Mayor, Councillor Alan Earwaker.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment and very well deserved for the Farnham in Bloom Community Group, the hundreds of volunteers and the town as a whole. Britain in Bloom is an incredibly tough competition – just to enter is by invitation only. Our organisers, sponsors, gardeners and litter pickers worked incredibly hard to pull off this amazing result. If you contributed to Farnham in Bloom this year, no matter in how small a way, thank you and well done.” he adds.
Farnham won its gold award in the large town category. Judges visited in July when the South East was experiencing drought and record temperatures. Despite this, Farnham also won top awards in the regional competition, South and South East in Bloom, including best in category for large town and for Badshot Lea Cemetery.
The Mayor continues: “The most important thing about Farnham in Bloom is that the community benefits and that it brings pleasure to local people. Seeing the town look absolutely beautiful in the summer months and witnessing residents of all ages get involved in gardening are just a few of the many benefits. We were able to show the judges how there is something going on for Farnham in Bloom during every month of the year, how it benefits biodiversity and brings people together – all things they felt were important.”
Simon Essex from The Patio Black Spot Removal Company Ltd, the principal sponsor of Farnham in Bloom for 2022 adds, “Being involved in Farnham in Bloom as principal sponsor has been amazing. It has been such a pleasure to support a community-led project that involves so many people and gives so much back to the town and all the surrounding villages. It also brings businesses together and closer to our customers. I know I speak on behalf of all the sponsors when I say how proud we are of Farnham’s achievement.” As well as The Patio Black Spot Removal Company Ltd, over 100 companies sponsor Farnham in Bloom with funding or through in-kind donations.
Farnham was one of eight towns shortlisted in the large town category for Britain in Bloom. The shortlist included towns in counties from as far south as Somerset to Cumbria in the north.
Among this year’s highlights for Farnham are the planting of 170 trees (with 300 more scheduled by the end of the year), extension of 12 wildflower areas, horticultural workshops for secondary schools, support for over 50 community groups and participation of 11 local schools.
The organisers estimate that there were over 28,000 hours of volunteer activity dedicated to this year’s competition entry. Although the biggest visual impact of Farnham in Bloom can be seen in the summer months, there are activities across the whole year with lots of volunteering opportunities in spring and autumn.
