As judges declare the winners in this year’s Farnham in Bloom Secret Gardens competition, they have praised gardeners for producing displays that are “better than ever” despite a challenging summer of prolonged dry spells and heavy downpours.
This year’s judging saw a greater emphasis on environmental issues with judges looking for biodiversity and examples of good practice such as rainwater harvesting, peat-free compost, composting garden waste and supporting wildlife.
Councillor Sally Dickson, the Lead Member for Farnham in Bloom which is sponsored by The Farnham Institute Charity, congratulated all winners for their remarkable efforts: “Our judges were treated to displays of flourishing roses and border plants plus garden walls and fences curtained with scented white star jasmine. Deciding the winners across 10 categories has been a colossal but highly rewarding challenge.
“The judges reported how hanging baskets and patio pots looked fabulous with an abundance of colourful pelargoniums, begonias, petunias and golden creeping Jenny. There was also plenty of prime fruit and veg on display: tomato plants weighed heavily with fruit, and there were some luscious looking courgettes, lettuces, runner beans and French beans.”
Among the winners is Frank Green who won the category for best hanging basket or container, and won Gardener of the Year in 2018.
Other categories included best wildlife garden, best courtyard sponsored by The Patio Blackspot Removal Company Ltd, best vegetable garden, best large and best small garden as well as categories especially for business premises.
Judges thanked all those who entered this year’s competition and encouraged them to take part again next year. Over 40 gardeners were commended by judges. A full list is available on the Town Council website.
Winners are invited to an awards ceremony next month at Squires Garden Centre in Badshot Lea where the winner of Gardener of the Year and the Madge Green Community Gardening Award will be announced. Madge Green was one of the driving forces behind Farnham in Bloom as well as a prize-winning gardener herself, flower arranger and journalist. She died in 2017.
Three community groups are competing for the prize: space2grow, Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Gardens and Get Growing @ The Bungalow at Hale Community Centre.
Notes to editors
The awards ceremony takes place on 10 October.
The full list of winners is as follows:
Secret Gardens of Farnham Awards
Best Front, Back or Small Garden
Commended
Nicola Hope
Nina Irlam
Highly Commended
Bartosz Kupisz
David Pink
Pam Epps
Patricia White
Peter Clark
Very Highly Commended
Brenda Guyver
Jacquie Heathcote
Bronze Award
Donald Larby
Silver Award
Nick & Susan Green
Gold Award
Leslie Wyld & Lorna Sutherland
Best Large Garden
Commended
Alexine Crawford
Highly Commended
Andrea & Dave Wingent
Karen Tinson
Lionel & Clare East
Bronze
Anthony Hill-Reid
Silver Award
Max & Kate Lyons
Gold Award
Penny Drew
Best Hanging Basket/Container
Commended
Mel Sefton
Highly Commended
Nick & Susan Green
Nicola Hope
Very Highly Commended
Jacqui Budd
Lionel & Clare East
Vivienne Gardiner
Bronze Award
David Pink
Silver Award
Ian & Beryl Webster
Gold Award
Frank Rhodes
Best Courtyard
Bronze Award
Jacquie Heathcote
Silver Award
Ian & Beryl Webster
Gold Award
Jonathan Durham
Best Vegetable Garden
Very Highly Commended
David Pink
Nick & Susan Green
Bronze
Mel Sefton
Silver Award
Alexine Crawford
Gold Award
Martin Billett
Best Wildlife Garden
Commended
Nina Irlam
Highly Commended
Alexine Crawford
Gold Award
Ian & Beryl Webster
Best Public House/Hotel
Commended
Castle Inn
Highly Commended
The Queen’s Head
The Nelson
Very Highly Commended
Shepherd & Flock
The Six Bells
Bronze Award
The Lamb
Silver Award
The Hop Blossom
Gold Award
The Albion
Best Shop Front
Silver Award
Classical Floral Designs
Gold Award
Castle Street Flowers
Best Business Premises
Gold Award
The Farnham Maltings
