Farnham Town Council has paid tribute to the community effort behind this year’s Farnham in Bloom success by hosting a thank-you reception for volunteers.

In 2025, Farnham in Bloom volunteers contributed more than 23,000 hours, the equivalent of 12 full-time employees working all year.

Their work included planting thousands of plug plants for hanging baskets, weeding, dead-heading and maintaining planters across Farnham. Additional, unrecorded hours were given by residents who help throughout the year by litter-picking on daily walks, watering beds and planters, tending hanging baskets and caring for green spaces.

The reception was hosted by The Bush Hotel, a long-standing supporter of Farnham in Bloom and a Silver Sponsor.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Mayor of Farnham Cllr Graham White welcomed volunteers and said 2025 had been another fantastic year for the scheme. He said every volunteer had contributed to the Gold awards achieved this year.

Cllr Mat Brown, lead member for environment, also thanked volunteers. He said: “This year, we’ve embraced the phrase ‘growing flowers and communities’ because your efforts have not only created a beautiful floral town for everyone to enjoy but also strengthened the connections between our communities across Farnham.

“Your enthusiasm, passion and care for what you do makes our day – you are all awesome.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Cllr Brown said: “Farnham in Bloom is always growing so we would love to recruit even more volunteers to join our team. Giving just a couple of hours a week to help with planting, weeding, watering or litter picking can make a huge difference, and no experience is needed – just enthusiasm.”

Farnham in Bloom has received regular awards for its planting and environmental work. The scheme involves residents, volunteers and local groups in maintaining floral displays across the town throughout the year.

For more information, email [email protected].