Gardeners celebrate achievements

At the Holbrook Club last Thursday, September 25, Horsham in Bloom took the opportunity to say thank you to the people of Horsham for their support, and to celebrate gardeners and gardening in the local area.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Oct 2014, 17:50 BST
Lorna and Michael Manwaring Special WW1 Prize presented by Terry Clarke of Hillier Garden Centre SUS-140930-094111001Lorna and Michael Manwaring Special WW1 Prize presented by Terry Clarke of Hillier Garden Centre SUS-140930-094111001
Lorna and Michael Manwaring Special WW1 Prize presented by Terry Clarke of Hillier Garden Centre SUS-140930-094111001

The Awards Ceremony was preceded by a talk from Peter Crawford of Sussex Wildlife Trust and a splendid afternoon tea for over 50 guests.

Sue Brundish, Chairman of Horsham in Bloom, welcomed guests and warmly thanked all those of her team who had worked so hard to make this year such a success.

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Peter Crawford described the work of the Wildlife Trust as looking after and getting people involved in caring for nature. He had helped with judging some of the entries and seen what great work local gardeners are doing.

He said that a really well-kept garden with the right types of plants can be incredibly rich for wildlife. He encouraged gardeners to involve children and young people, a point echoed later by other speakers.

In the six categories of the competition, sponsored variously by Horsham in Bloom, Hillier Garden Centres, and North Horsham Parish Council, winners were:

Neighbourhood/Parish Council Cups: Mr & Mrs Morris, PDT Solicitors, Mr. Brian Budgen.

Best Pub Award: The Black Jug, North Street.

Best Kept Allotment: Gold Award, Mr R. Bathie

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Community Services Floral Display Competition: Gold Award, Age UK Lavinia House

Most Eye-catching Patriotic Container Award: Gold Award, Mr & Mrs N Smith

Best of British Front Garden Competition: Gold Award, Mrs Mary Humphrey.

Awards were also presented by Jean Griffin of BBC Sussex to 3 groups who had achieved success in the It’s Your Neighbourhood RHS South and South East in Bloom Awards: Level 4 to Boldings Brook Conservation Group and Hills Farm Conservation Group, and Level 5 to Earles Meadow Conservation Group.

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Horsham in Bloom was also very pleased to present awards to several new entrants in the allotment competition.

Thanks were extended to all who had given their time to assist in the judging this year, including: Terry Clarke, Manager of Hillier Garden Centre; Derek Santer, Horsham & District Horticultural Society; Neville Rogers, Volunteer and Allotmenteer; Horticulturalists from Horsham District Council and members of the Horsham in Bloom Committee.

Reflecting on the afternoon’s event, Sue Brundish noted the pleasure the winners felt by having their skills recognised, and how they had welcomed the opportunity to share and exchange experiences.

For information about getting involved with Horsham in Bloom, contact: Sue Brundish, [email protected] and see the website www.horshaminbloom.org.uk/competitions for pictures of the winning entries and Facebook for a splash of colour.

Report and pictures contributed by Horsham In Bloom.