NOW that frosts are past, the first flowers in the town's grand summer displays will shortly be appearing, all put in place by the enthusiastic Farnham in Bloom team, working with the Town Council's Robin and Ian and the new waterers, Reflections of Bordon.

"We put the boxes, baskets and planters in place as quickly as we are able," says chairman Madge Green, "and with as little disruption as possible.

"This really is a massive operation for a small voluntary body of women to organise and set up, and I pay tribute to the second-to-none, dedicated, and hard-working committee."

Mrs Green paid special tribute to her deputy and greenhouse manager, Audrey Jackman. "She has done such sterling work ordering and, with help from the committee and some valued friends, caring for more than 10,000 plants in the unheated greenhouse we rent from Waverley Borough Council.

"This requires three times a day watering in all the hot weather and weeks of effort opening windows or covering against frosts.

"Hanging baskets worked to our special colour schemes and designs have been grown for us by Little Acres Nursery, Badshot Lea, and are looking extremely good. They will be put in place on Monday and Tuesday, June 4 and 5.

"The date of judging in the prestigious South East in Bloom competition has now been announced — Wednesday, July 11, at 2.30 pm.

"By then the town should be looking at its very best. On the day, I hope those living and working on our judges' route — which will be published in The Herald later — will consider putting out pots of flowers or hanging baskets, cut their lawns and hedges, and so on, so that we can together create a prize-winning town full of colour and interest.

"I was amused and rather touched because the co-founder of WhiteOaks International consultancy, who was to have moved into her newly refurbished headquarters in Harold Falkner's old house in West Street on July 11 has suggested bringing her move forward by a day so that the vans will not block and spoil the street scene."