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Celebrating our borough’s blooming great gardeners
18th September 2018
17 September 2018
Celebrating our borough’s blooming great gardeners
*Photos to download at the end of the release*
Green fingered creativity was celebrated through the theme of ‘peace’ to mark the centenary of World War I at the annual Guildford in Bloom Awards last night.
Guildford Mayor, Cllr Michael Parsons presented more than 178 awards and six trophies at the event held at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. Audiences and winners were treated to a show-stopping opening from the Guildford Shakespeare Company while BBC Radio Surrey’s Joe Talbot hosted the event.
Leader of the Council and Chairman of Guildford in Bloom, Cllr Paul Spooner said: “As always we were very impressed with the high standard of innovation from our communities. This was shown across all groups and we were thrilled to welcome 35 new entries.
He added: “This year was particularly special as we launched a new category to encourage young people into thinking about and understanding their own gardens. The ‘Student Garden Showcase’ was won by Ben Harbour and the University of Surrey Student Garden Team. With overall competition winners Best in Show award going to Lisa Keech and The Robin Hood Pub. I’d like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and dedication and to our premium sponsors Chapters Financial and Allianz – for making this such a wonderful event for our borough.”
Ben Harbour, currently studying Business Management at the University of Surrey, designed the first GiB student garden. He said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won first place in the Student Garden Category. Through this project we hoped to show that students really do care about their homes, gardens and the communities they live in.”
There were 104 entries in the Best Allotment/Kitchen Garden category, 13 bold and beautiful Front Garden entries, Wildlife Gardening is now a firm favourite with 12 entries, nine Best Pub in Bloom entries, 13 Best Neighbourhood Project entries and our new perpetual trophy is for the Best Container Garden with 12 entries.
The Best in Category award winners were:
Best Allotment & Vegetable Kitchen Garden Trophy Winner: Les & Stella Hind
Best Front Garden Trophy Winner: Lisa Keech
Best Garden for Wildlife Winner: Pewley Down Volunteers
Best Pub in Bloom Trophy Winner: The Robin Hood
Best Container Garden Trophy Winner: Mr & Mrs Comerford
Best Neighbourhood Project Trophy Winner: Stoke Hospital
Best Student Garden Showcase: Ben Harbour and the University of Surrey Student Garden Team
Dorothy Walden Trophy for Best Themed Garden: Snaky Lane Community Wildlife Group
Best School in Bloom Trophy Winner: Wonersh and Shamley Green C of E Infant School
Overall Competition Winners Best in Show: Lisa Keech and The Robin Hood
For more information please visit www.guildford.gov.uk/guildfordinbloom
