Home >> council >> departments >> leisure >> parks21/08/2008 18:39:47

An image of a pink flowerFareham In Bloom

Filling Fareham With Flowers

Since its start in 1996, Fareham In Bloom has grown into a well known and successful gardening campaign involving communities throughout the Borough and attracting more than 400 entries each year.

 

It encourages all sectors of the community, from private garden owners to large businesses, to become actively involved in the enhancement of the Borough by providing bright and colourful planting schemes, making the Borough a better place in which to live and work.

 

This year Fareham was given the prestigious accolade of Champion of Champions and overall winners in the South and South East in Bloom awards at yesterday’s ceremony. It is the highest award and accolade we could have received and is set against rigorous standards and judging criteria. In addition to being awarded Champion of Champions and overall winners, we once again received a Gold Medal.

 

We also received Silver for Holly Hill Woodland Park and a Silver Gilt and Best Small Park for the Sensory Garden.

 

The success across the Borough has raised the profile of our parks and green spaces, working with the community, developing a sense of community spirit and local pride.

 

So why not give it a go and help us to Fill Fareham with Flowers!

 

A picture of a Fareham in Bloom brochure cover

 

What it takes

Since it's humble beginnings as a floral competition the "Fareham in Bloom, - Filling Fareham with Flowers" campaign has developed beyond all expectations.

 

Organised by the parks section of Fareham Borough Council and run by a group of dedicated volunteers the campaign is one of the largest of it's kind on the south coast involving and working with hundreds of people.  The volunteers work throughout the year to encourage active participation in parks projects, planning new ideas, designing displays and running the 'in bloom' competitions.  This is supported by the many sponsors who now offer funding for the eye catching displays on our roundabouts and who provide the wonderful prizes and trophies that are awarded at our presentation in September each year.

 

There is a strong emphasis on environmental education and activities are organised to reflect the richness and array of parks that Fareham has to offer and to involve as many people as possible in the work that we do. The aim is to make Fareham a green, bright and cheerful place to live, work, or visit and develop an awareness of the importance of our parks, woodlands and countryside whilst gaining recognition for all those that contribute to making this possible.

 

We hope you will show off your horticultural talents and help to make Fareham Bloom.

Something for Everyone

Whatever your gardening speciality, you are sure to find a category to suit you. Details of the categories available are in our "Fareham In Bloom" guide for entrants and judges.

 

There are 21 classes and sub-classes ranging from best floral front gardens and hanging baskets to best decorated business premises and unusual garden features. Whichever you enter, you will receive a 10% discount card for use at selected nurseries and garden centres.

The Fareham Allotment Competition

The Fareham Allotment Competition also forms part of the annual programme with categories for plot holders and young allotment gardeners. Schools are actively encouraged to use gardening as part of curricular activity, with an award for best schools gardening projects along with art based competitions in our Art In the Park guide.

 

The award for Outstanding Horticultural Excellence is the council's highest accolade. Given annually, it is open to the previous years' winners or by nomination of individuals, who have dedicated their time to specific projects that benefit the community within the field of horticulture.

An image of an Orange flowerTaking Part

Entry is free and open to anyone who is resident or has business within the Borough of Fareham.

 

Gardening is fun and the competition is run in such a way as to be both light-hearted and to recognise the efforts of individuals whose passion for plants and gardening really make a difference by brightening up their local communities.

 

We would like to hear about your gardening talents and actively encourage newcomers to take part.

The Judging

To judge such a large gardening competition naturally takes many people and a considerable amount of time. All judging for the main competition is carried out each year during the first two weeks of July, when a team of judges visit all entrants to seek out our budding horticulturists.

 

The judges are gardeners themselves, some from horticultural groups in the Borough and many who have been winners of the competition in past years.

The Annual Prize Giving

Each year a reception and prize giving is held in the September for award winners as well as anyone who has entered the competition, in recognition of their contribution to the Borough.  This is an evening event, with buffet and slide presentation, which is normally attended by over 200 people.

Gardens Open Scheme

The Gardens Open Scheme was launched in 2005 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Fareham in Bloom, the event was such a success that it was decided to make it an annual event. On one day a year, award winning gardens from previous Fareham in Bloom community gardening competitions are open to the public to visit and enjoy. More information about the scheme can be found by visiting the Gardens Open Scheme page.

 

Back to top

Southern England in Bloom

The 'In Bloom' campaign is not only a local one, with national and regional competitions also taking place annually.

 

Southern England in Bloom (run by the Royal Horticultural Society (this is an external hyperlink)) is our regional competition. The council enters the Borough to compete against other local authorities, looking at the quality of our parks, landscape and green environment.

 

Fareham Borough Council has received many awards over the years and much of that achievement is due to the support, participation and involvement by our residents.

An image of a ladybirdIt's not just about Flowers

There are opportunities to get you involved in your local parks and countryside, with a host of activities, workshops and events that are held throughout the Borough to support our 'Fareham in Bloom' campaign.

 

Our annual Events Guide is packed with free walks, talks and educational days to get you out into the fresh air and there are art-based competitions and themed activity days as part of the Art in the Park programme.

 

Each autumn we give away sacks of bulbs and over the last 12 years, with the help of our residents, we have planted over 4 million Daffodils, which bring a carpet of gold each spring.

 

Full details of these and other activities are available on request.

 

Back to top

Becoming involved

We hope you find this page of interest and will get involved by supporting our community gardening campaign. To show off your horticultural flair, simply complete an application form. We look forward to meeting you in July and here are some pointers to help you: -

 

The 'Fareham in Bloom' community gardening competitions are open to all residents and businesses within the Borough.

  • Entry is free to all competitions and events on this page.
  • All entries must be made with the attached application form.
    Please keep a note of the categories you have entered.
  • All entries must be available for viewing from the outside and contribute to the enjoyment of others (excluding back garden entries).
  • All winners will be notified and copies of the results will be sent to participants from 1st August.
  • The judges decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into.*

*A full list of judging criteria and competition rules will be sent on receipt of an application or are available on request.

Becoming a Volunteer or Sponsor

Would you like to become a sponsor or have some spare time and would like to assist with the promotion, judging or educational projects associated with "Fareham In Bloom"? If so, then we would love to hear from you.

Special Needs

If you require any assistance or have any particular needs then please contact us.

 

If you would like any further information on any of the above please contact the Leisure and Community Division on 01329 236100 or e-mail parks@fareham.gov.uk.

 

An image of the purple Parks, Woodlands and Countryside banner