Date:
Root out those gardening gloves and go potty with those plants, as residents, schools and publicans have until Monday 8 July to enter this years Woking in Bloom!
The annual competition brings together businesses, community groups, residents and schools and encourages them to make Woking a brighter, greener place to live, work and visit.
To be in with a chance of potting an award, green fingered gardeners can choose to enter one of seven main categories and two special awards. Main categories include best large front garden, best small front garden, best hanging basket, best tub or container, best floral public house, best kept community garden and best school environmental garden.
There is a special award for the garden which attracts the most creepy-crawlies in the Local Agenda 21 Best Wildlife Garden category. This category is aimed at entrants who take an environmentally friendly approach to the maintenance of their gardens and use green alternatives to herbicides and pesticides. And to encourage first-time entrants, there’s the newcomer award.
Across all categories however, the judges will be paying close attention to the environmental practices such as peat-free soil, compositing, water butts and wormeries.
Cllr Kevin Davis, Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services, said: “Woking in Bloom is a marvellous competition which demonstrates just how much our residents care about the environment. Every year, both passion and enthusiasm shine through each and every floral display.
“The competition aims to improve the appearance of our town, making Woking a greener, cleaner and more pleasant place to live, whilst promoting horticultural excellence. It’s a fantastic way to get the people of Woking working together too.
“I would encourage schools, publicans and all members of the community to take part in helping make Woking ‘bloom’ again this summer.”
The event is organised by Woking Borough Council and is sponsored by environmental maintenance company, Serco, Squires Garden Centres and Lansbury Business Estate.
Judging will take place in July and entry is free. The awards ceremony will be held in September, where prizes for the successful winners of each category will be presented by the Mayor of Woking.
Application forms are available from the Civic Offices and local libraries or you can also apply online.