Two local councils have won awards in the annual South & South East in Bloom Awards. Well done to all involved!
Farnham
Farnham in Bloom has gathered a bumper crop of gold awards at this year’s South & South East in Bloom. The results were announced at an awards ceremony at RHS Wisley and saw Farnham bring home:
– Gold and Best in Category for the town centre
– Gold and Best in Category for Hale Cemetery
– Gold and Champion of Champions for Badshot Lea Cemetery
– Gold for Gostrey Meadow, and
– Gold for West Street Cemetery
In addition, Badshot Lea Bloomers, The Bourne Conservation Group and space2grow received awards for being ‘Outstanding’ in the It’s Your Neighbourhood Award.
Councillor Mat Brown, Lead Member for Environment says: “Farnham in Bloom has always been about more than growing flowers – it’s about growing a community that takes pride in and cares for our shared environment. Every volunteer who picks up litter or lends a hand with potting on plug plants, every pupil who plants a seed or a bulb, every business that sponsors a basket – they’re all part of the ecosystem that keeps Farnham blooming.
“This year’s results are a fantastic tribute to everyone who has contributed to making our town greener and more sustainable and I thank each and every one of you.”
Farnham in Bloom is a collaborative effort led by Farnham Town Council and supported by residents, schools, community groups, and local businesses. Together, the Farnham in Bloom community group has created projects that range from wildlife-friendly planting and pollinator trails to litter reduction, and education programmes.
The South & South East in Bloom Awards celebrate communities that go beyond beautification to foster long-term environmental stewardship and civic pride. Farnham’s five gold awards reaffirm its position as one of the country’s leading green towns.
To find out about opportunities to get involved in Farnham in Bloom 2026, email bloom@farnham.gov.uk.
Godalming
Godalming Town Council is proud to celebrate another year of success in the South & South-East in Bloom Awards, recognising the hard work and dedication of its staff, volunteers, and community partners in making Godalming a greener, more beautiful town.
The South & South-East in Bloom initiative honours communities across the south and south-east of England – including Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire for their efforts to enhance local environments through gardening, sustainability and community action.
This year, Eashing Cemetery was once again crowned the overall category winner in the Large Cemetery sector—the second time in five years that this site has achieved top honours. Nightingale Cemetery also holds an impressive record, having previously won the overall award in the Small Cemetery category. Together, these achievements reflect the consistent quality, respect, and care with which Godalming’s burial grounds are maintained.
The council was also delighted to see the Youth Service Garden achieve a first-time category win, a testament to the creativity and commitment of young people and staff involved in its development and maintenance.
In addition, congratulations were extended to the Farncombe Station Gardening Group, whose dedicated volunteers continue to transform the station area into a welcoming, vibrant, and biodiverse green space enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
These awards not only recognise aesthetic excellence but also highlight the environmental and biodiversity benefits of the Council’s approach to grounds management. Through pollinator-friendly planting, habitat creation, and sustainable maintenance practices, Godalming Town Council continues to lead by example in promoting ecological wellbeing and environmental stewardship within the community.
