The winners of the 2024 Britain in Bloom UK Finals competition have been announced with Farnham in Bloom winning Gold and best in category for its entry into the Town Centres and City Centres award.
This achievement, which was announced at the Royal Horticultural Society awards ceremony in Manchester on Monday 21 October, marks another triumph for Farnham, following the town’s Gold award and Best in Category recognition in 2019 and its joint win in 2017.
Farnham Town Council’s flagship project came up against stiff competition with 52 community gardening group finalists but Farnham in Bloom’s outstanding commitment to community and environmental excellence caught the attention of the judges.
“Whether you enter the town on foot or by car the impact of Bloom is immediate,” said Ann Holland and Lesley Jelleyman, Britain in Bloom judges. “Farnham in Bloom’s roots and benefits reach almost everyone in the town.”
Whilst Farnham Town Council leads the Farnham in Bloom project the award is underpinned by thousands of volunteer hours, and significant contributions by partner organisations and Farnham in Bloom sponsors.
In their comments, the judges said: “The importance of health and wellbeing is evident here, Space2Grow is a community space that supports mental and physical health and wellbeing for residents of all ages. Truancy levels amongst teenage students visiting have reduced. As well as experiencing the joys of horticulture, young people can get hands-on in the mud kitchen and with construction projects. More than 600 schoolchildren attend outdoor learning here throughout the year.
“The Victoria Garden, once a swimming pool, is now a sunken garden. The mixed cottage-style borders, box maze, chess board, statue of a swimmer and plenty of seating make this a tranquil space. With its wildlife-friendly pond and allotments for growing vegetables, fruit and herbs, Badshot Lea Community Garden is thriving. Patients who have been offered green prescribing are just some of those benefiting from this space.”
Councillor Brodie Mauluka, Mayor of Farnham says: “I would like to thank the community of Farnham for supporting Farnham in Bloom.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the awards ceremony and was almost in tears when receiving the Gold awards as it meant so much to represent the winning team of Farnham.”
Farnham in Bloom’s continued success would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of volunteers who donated 23,000 hours of their time, Gold sponsors: The Patio Black Spot Removal Company, BBS Ltd, Squire’s Garden Centre and Wildflower Turf and all other sponsors who contributed to the project.
The Britain in Bloom awards, now in their 60th year, celebrated the tireless efforts of communities across the country in enhancing their local environments through gardening and sustainable practices. This year’s overall winner was Bath, which has a special connection to the competition as it also participated in the very first Britain in Bloom event.
As Farnham in Bloom enters its 35th year, plans are already in place for 2025. Projects will include increasing biodiversity in Farnham’s green spaces, improving the sustainability of flower beds with perennial planting, working with younger people, and expanding the tree planting programme. If you would like to find out how to get involved, please email bloom@farnham.gov.uk for information about volunteering or sponsorship opportunities. Watch this short film to find out more about Farnham in Bloom 2024.
