Going for Gold Again!
Fired with enthusiasm after its silver-gilt award last summer, Farnham Town Council has again entered Farnham Town Centre in the South and South East In Bloom competition. This horticultural campaign began over 40 years ago and is now the largest horticultural campaign in Europe.
Installation of the floral displays will begin on 17 May 2010 (weather permitting) with Judging Day taking place on 5 July 2010. This year will see two additional floral tributes, one commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain near the war memorial and the second, the Centenary Year of the Girl Guides near The Police Station. Farnham in Bloom will be launched on 27 May, when the Town Mayor will thank the many sponsors of the floral displays.
Farnham Town Council works closely with local shops, businesses and residents, encouraging them all to contribute in some way, and both Waverley Borough Council and Surrey County Council are enthusiastically supporting the Town Council.
The campaign is indeed now wider than the creation of floral displays as other factors are taken into account on judging day. For example the following matters will have an impact on how the town is judged:
Horticultural Achievement such as choice and quality of plants in residential areas, retail and shopping spaces, pubs, green and open spaces.
Environmental Responsibility such as conservation, biodiversity, recycling, local heritage, litter, graffiti, street furniture and public art
Community Participation such as sponsorship, funding and business involvement.
Sponsors of hanging baskets and corporate sponsors for areas of the town are still very welcome. All the sponsors will be acknowledged on the Sponsor Board in South Street and on plaques beside any commemorative tributes they support.
A link can be also be provided from the Farnham in Bloom website to the sponsors’ websites.
Cllr Jill Hargreaves, Chairman of The Farnham in Bloom Working Group said "We are looking forward to the start of the summer season and the installation of over 250 hanging baskets and tubs around the town. I know that the floral displays bring a great deal of pleasure to many people and I know we can rely on our Farnham Town Council staff to water and care for the displays throughout the summer".
Anyone wishing to sponsor Farnham in Bloom should contact Sheila Rayner on 01252 712667 or e-mail sheila.rayner(at)farnham.gov.uk
