SNG announces winners of In Bloom competition
We're pleased to announce the talented winners of our annual customer In Bloom gardening competition. This year's contest was bigger than ever, with fantastic entries from Dorset, Hertfordshire, London and Oxfordshire showcasing impressive gardening skills and vibrant, colourful outdoor spaces.
The In Bloom competition celebrates customers who go the extra mile to create beautiful green spaces that foster community pride, support biodiversity, enhance the local environment and creating places people love to live. We teamed up with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and award-winning garden designer The Beardy Gardener to provide expert advice to entrants and sit on the judging panel.
Entries were judged across four categories: Thriving Community Garden, Small Garden Innovator, Sustainable Garden Innovator and Home Garden in Bloom, with first, second and third place awards available in each category. All winners received a gift voucher, a personalised trophy and a certificate in recognition of their achievements.
We received overwhelmingly positive feedback on the competition, with 92% of survey respondents saying they enjoyed gardening more after taking part. In addition, 86% said the competition had made them feel more optimistic about the future, highlighting the positive impact that In Bloom has had on participants and their wellbeing.
Matt Buckham, SNG Community Foundation Managing Director, commented: "Our In Bloom competition celebrates customers’ creativity, dedication and pride in the places they call home. From colourful gardens and green oasis to welcoming communal spaces, it’s inspiring to see the care and effort customers have invested in their surroundings. The competition provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase gardening talents, while recognising the positive impact our customers have in making their communities greener, brighter and thriving places to live."
Leigh Johnstone, The Beardy Gardener, said: “In Bloom is the kind of initiative I love. It gives people the chance to celebrate their green spaces, while encouraging them to keep growing and inspiring others. I’ve really enjoyed being involved this year. Seeing the passion, creativity and care residents have put into their outdoor areas has been brilliant, with such a wonderful variety of gardens and growing spaces. What touched me most were the stories behind why people garden. For me, that’s the really important bit, gardens aren’t just about how they look, but how they make us feel and bring people together.”
Rosie Carr, Senior Community Horticulture Specialist at the RHS, visited the Thriving Community Garden at Bircheley Court older persons scheme in Hertford. She said: “Bircherley Court was a really special entry. What stood out to the judges was the way residents have created a garden that genuinely feels like it belongs to everyone. People contribute in whatever way they can, whether that’s growing food, watering and deadheading, sharing plants and knowledge, or simply spending time in and enjoying the space. It’s a beautiful example of how gardening can bring people together while also creating a thriving environment for wildlife."