The Guildford in Bloom Gardening Competition, which is open to residents and businesses in Guildford Borough launched on 14 February 2023 alongside the Schools in Bloom competition which launched at the end of January 2023.

The theme for this year is For King and Countryside which incorporates both the Coronation celebrations and King Charles III’s love of wildlife.

Part of the Guildford in Bloom ethos is to create diverse habitats that encourage and protect wildlife, especially our pollinators. The Best Site for Nature Conservation category supports and encourages projects to promote bio-diversity and havens for all wildlife in our area. However, it will not be possible to reverse the decline in populations of pollinators unless everyone can be encouraged to do a little bit.

Therefore as part of this years’ theme, Guildford in Bloom have created a list of ten things entrants can do in their gardens or allotments to create mini wildlife havens. These include bird feeders, being part of a hedgehog corridor, having a pond or other water source, nectar café’s, bug hotels and log piles. In order to qualify for the theme entrants have to chose five things from the list to do – those that can do all ten should enter the Best Garden for Wildlife category too.

Cllr Paul Spooner, Chairman of Guildford in Bloom says:

“Guildford in Bloom are delighted to be able to celebrate the King’s Coronation with our theme For King and Countryside. We felt it was important to include an element that would have a tangible benefit to local wildlife and we sincerely hope that these elements in people’s gardens and plots will be maintained in the future.

We hope that our Guildford gardeners will rise to the challenge and help us make a real difference in honour of King Charles III’s lifelong love of nature and wildlife. Any garden, big or small, private or a business can enter Guildford in Bloom. We’d love to see your photos and stories, please share them on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages by using the hashtag #GIB2023 and show us how you’ve interpreted this year’s theme.”

To take part, please go to www.guildfordinbloom.com to download the entry form, and once completed send that to info@guildfordinbloom.com no later than Sunday 18 June 2023 Judging takes place between 28 June – 16 July 2023. You can keep up with the competition on the Guildford in Bloom social media pages – visit @guildfordnbloom on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/GuildfordInBloom

The school competition is also underway and children across the borough will be designing and creating their gardens with the For King and Countryside theme, and keeping a journal, diary or scrapbook to record their progress.

Entries for the Schools in Bloom Competition, sponsored by Edwins Garden Centre, need to be in by 21 May 2022 and judging will take place between 5 to 16 June 2023. Entry forms for this competition can also be downloaded from www.guildfordinbloom.com

The winner of #bloomingschools will receive £50 to spend on plants or gardening equipment for the school, together with other prizes.

For King and Countryside will also be celebrated at the free Blooming Picnic in the Castle Grounds Event on 3 June 2023 – picnic goers will be encouraged to dress up in keeping with the theme and bring flags to wave while they enjoy entertainment from the Castle Bandstand provided by Guildford Fringe Festival as we bring our celebrations of the Coronation to a close. Blooming Picnic is sponsored by Chapters Financial and Experience Guildford and would not happen without the collaboration with Guildford Fringe Festival.

Charlotte Wyschna, Managing Director of Guildford Fringe says:

“Guildford Fringe Festival are very pleased to be helping organise the Picnic once again after setting the event up with Diana Roberts and GIB all those years ago. It has grown into a wonderful event which is always so well attended. A true community event for the people of Guildford. There will be music and fun for all the family from the bandstand whilst you enjoy the beautiful Castle Grounds.”

More details on the Guildford in Bloom website www.guildfordinbloom.com