Garden Contest Needs You Amid ‘Acts of Blooming Kindness’ from Guildford in Bloom

Published on: 14 Jun, 2019
Updated on: 18 Jun, 2019

The borough council harnessed the power of flowers and Guildford in Bloom to create “Acts of Blooming Kindness”, helped by Halow Project students, promoting the borough’s popular annual gardening competition, now in its 38th year. Entries close on Sunday, June 16.

With support and enthusiasm from Project Aspire and Guildford Mayor Cllr Richard Billington, last month GBC potted up and gave away 150 geranium plants to local residents in Park Barn, Onslow Village, Bellfields and Shalford. A further 25 geranium plants were given to shoppers in Guildford High Street.

Cllr Pauline Searle

Cllr Pauline Searle, lead for Arts, Parks and Countryside, said: “Guildford in Bloom is our much-loved annual initiative bringing together community groups, businesses, schools and residents to promote gardening and nature conservation.

“This helps us enhance our beautiful borough while encouraging everyone to get outside in the fresh air and enjoy time with friends and families.

“Guildford in Bloom champions our environment, health, well-being and collaboration while blending the council’s corporate priorities of community, place-making and innovation. In 2015, we had 67 entries, last year we had more than 250.”

The free competition is open to everyone, of all ages, living and working in Guildford, and closes on 16 June. This year, a lunar theme marks the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing and there is a new category “Best Site for Nature Conservation”.

The Act of Blooming Kindness giveaway developed from suggestions to raise the profile of the Front Garden category while growing the central annual Guildford in Bloom campaign.

Students from Halow potted the plants and decorated the accompanying message with ribbons and stick-on bees. Recipients were encouraged to share images of their gift on social media using the hashtag #bloomingkindness and #GiB.

The message accompanying each plant read:

Here is a little flowering plant

With love from Guildford in Bloom

We hope it will keep you smiling

Through spring and summer too

It will need a little water and some rays of sunlight

We hope it will inspire you & make your garden bright

The council thanked those from Halow and Project Aspire for their support.

For more information and to enter the competition visit www.guildford.gov.uk/guildfordinbloom

Watch Parks and Landscapes manager Paul Stacey talk about the competition here https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1979723788795538

For more information on the Halow Project visit www.halowproject.org.uk