Prizes awarded at Farnham in Bloom Community Awards 

Farnham Town Council has hosted a celebration to give recognition and thanks to the hundreds of people who contributed to Farnham’s winning performance at South and South East in Bloom 2025.

The Farnham in Bloom Community Awards took place at Squire’s Garden Centre, Badshot Lea and began with the school awards.

This year’s gold winners included Highfield South Farnham School for the ‘Best School Garden’ and ‘Best Biodiversity Area’, Potters Gate C of E Primary School for the ‘Wildlife Photography Competition’ and Badshot Lea Village Infant School for the ‘Flower in a Boot’ category.

In total more than 50 prizes were awarded in recognition of the role young people play in keeping Farnham blooming.

The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor George Murray presented the prizes and said: “Schools are a vital part of Farnham in Bloom. Children, teachers and parents all contribute to Farnham’s success through their school gardens, wildlife habitats and fun competitions such as the tallest sunflower and biggest pumpkin. Their enthusiasm and creativity is truly inspirational.”

After the School Awards, it was time to celebrate the achievements of the wider community. Throughout the year, allotment holders, businesses, community groups, volunteers and members of the public have been making the most of their outdoor spaces. From hanging baskets and bee friendly borders to courtyards and vegetable gardens, the awards celebrated the best of the best.

Among the 2025 winners were:

• Jacquie Heathcote, Best Garden
• Nick Green, Best Vegetable Garden
• John Ely and Pam Bonsor, Best Allotment Plot Overall
• The Queen’s Head, Best Public House

Special awards were also presented to Libby Brayshaw (Gardener of the Year), Les Hunt of Badshot Lea Bloomers (Litter Picker of the Year), Libby Ralph (Biodiversity Champion of the Year) and John Negus (Mayor’s Special Award).

Commenting on the awards, Councillor Mat Brown, Lead Member for Environment said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to everybody who received a prize at the Farnham in Bloom Community Awards. We celebrated so many wonderful achievements in all types of gardening and recognised the tireless efforts of volunteers who litter pick, plant, prune and prepare the town for judging. These awards highlighted how Farnham in Bloom grows communities as well as flowers which contributes to the town being such a vibrant and beautiful place to live.“

Several local community organisations also received praise for their contribution to the town’s green spaces and received South and South East in Bloom Certificates of Excellence.

The Farnham in Bloom Community Awards were attended by sponsors, including Gold sponsors The Patio Black Spot Removal Company Ltd, BBS for Magimix, Cala and Squire’s Garden Centres alongside community representatives, volunteers and prize winners.

The ceremony marked the close of the 2025 Farnham in Bloom season, with plans for 2026 already underway.

Anyone interested in volunteering or joining the Farnham in Bloom community can email [email protected].

Winners of the School Awards

Best School Garden: Highfield South Farnham School

Best Hanging Basket: Badshot Lea Village Infant School

Tallest Sunflower: Potters Gate C of E Primary School

Biggest Pumpkin: St Andrew’s C of E Infant School

Best Biodiversity Area: Highfield South Farnham School

Flower in the Boot: Badshot Lea Village Infant School

Wildlife Photography Competition: Potters Gate C of E Primary School

Green Champion Awards:

• Badshot Lea Village Infant School
• Edgeborough School
• Potters Gate C of E Primary School
• St Polycarp’s Catholic Primary School

South and South East Certificates of Excellence

• Badshot Lea Village Infant School
• St Andrew’s C of E Infant School

Hive Helpers Bee Trail Prize Draw: Isabella

Winners of the Community Awards

Best Allotment Plot at Alderley Farm: Joan Jack

Best Allotment Plot at Farnborough Road: David Boakes

Best Allotment Plot at Morley Road: Liz Clifford

Best Allotment Plot at Shepherd and Flock: John Ely & Pam Bonsor

Best Allotment Plot at Six Bells: Hellie & Brett King

Best Allotment Plot at West Street: Sue Ware

Best Allotment Plot at West Street (Extension): Penny Simmons

Best Allotment Plot at Wrecclesham: Susan Mcdermott

Best Newcomer Plot at Alderley Farm: Warren & Alison Lindsey

Best Newcomer Plot at Farnborough Road: Howard Kaye

Best Newcomer Plot at West Street (Extension): Luke Burton

Best Newcomer Plot at Wrecclesham: Steve & Octavia Bell

Best Allotment Plot Overall: John Ely & Pam Bonsor on Shepherd & Flock

Best Newcomer Allotment Plot Overall: Howard Kaye, Farnborough Road

Best Garden: Jacquie Heathcote

Best Public House: The Queen’s Head

Best Courtyard: Sue Ware

Best Vegetable Garden: Nick Green

Best Bee Friendly Border: Joanna Mahtani

Best Hanging Basket or Container: Kathleen Dearsley

Best Care Home: Hatch Mill

The Madge Green Community Gardening Award: Badshot Lea Community Garden

South & South East in Bloom Certificates of Excellence

• Badshot Lea Bloomers
• Bloomin’ Friends
• Ena & Jerry Goolding
• Friends of Gostrey Meadow
• Friends of West Street Cemetery
• Hive Helpers
• Middle Bourne Lane Community Garden
• Space2grow
• The Bush Hotel
• The Victoria Garden

Gardener of the Year: Libby Brayshaw

Bloomin’ Litter Volunteer of the Year: Les Hunt

Biodiversity Champion of the Year: Libby Ralph

The Mayor’s Special Award: John Negus