© Joe Denyer Photography
Cranleigh has scooped three top prizes at the regional South & South East in Bloom Awards 2019. In addition to winning Gold in its category, Cranleigh in Bloom was named as overall category winner, receiving the Town of the Year Award 2019.
Judges were taken on a comprehensive tour of the village in mid-July, concluding that Cranleigh was worthy of the highest scores across the categories of horticulture, environment and community.
As a result of scoring the highest points of any size entry throughout Surrey, Cranleigh in Bloom was also named County Winner.
Cranleigh in Bloom chairman, Martin Bamford, said:
“These prizes are a fantastic result for the village and testament to ongoing hard work of everyone who cares about seeing Cranleigh at its very best. Throughout the year, we had to overcome a series of challenges to ensure judging day went smoothly, but our entry really could not have gone any better than this.”
Part of the Britain in Bloom competition, South & South East in Bloom encourages communities to work together to improve their environment.
It’s the third time Cranleigh has achieved a Gold standard at the South & South East in Bloom Awards, and the second time it has received the Town Award, but the first time it has been named County Winner.
Another Cranleigh winner at the regional awards was St Nicolas Church, which entered the Churchyard category for the first time this year and achieved a Silver Gilt for its entry.
Bamford continued:
“Cranleigh in Bloom is very much a team effort, and I’ve no doubt the contribution this year from St Nicolas Church really helped to secure our overall prizes. It’s the first year Cranleigh has reached the national finals of RHS Britain in Bloom, so we’re all now waiting for the results from this competition.
“Judges for the regional awards commented on the collective efforts of the entire community and the vast range of projects taking place. The amount of hard work that goes into Cranleigh in Bloom each year is incredible and these results reflect that dedication to making the village a better place for all.”
