Closing date for entry - Mon 13th June

Judging mornings - Mon 20th & Tue 21st June

Presentation Evening - 1st July

* Best FRONT Garden

* Best BACK Garden

* Best VEGETABLE plot

* Best NON-RESIDENTIAL display

* Best ALLOTMENT at Grace & Flavour

* Best celebratory JUBILEE container

* BIODIVERSITY Champion

* Best FIRST TIME entry

A Report from Cllr Beynon:  What a success it was this year after being cancelled in 2020! The weeks before judging the weather had been horrendous. We had everything, from too much heat to a lot more rain that we would have imagined. It took us ten hours in all to complete the judging. The gardens were stunning. Somehow the roses had been persuaded to hold up their heads, the lawns were immaculate, and in every garden, we had the great joy and privilege of sharing stories of how people’s gardens had developed and were shown the favourite spots in which to sit and dine. 

The Village Hall was buzzing as we launched the Winners Presentation Evening on 24 July. The stage was beautifully decorated and each of the tables had a delightful, hand-tied posies in the centre. The “top table” displayed all the trophies and provided a little competition for the gleaming chains of office worn by the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Guildford. We had a record number of entries, and the expected guests were all there.

Our Chairman, Elaine Best, opened the Presentation Evening with a warm welcome to all. Celia Chapman announced the results of the “Potato in a Pot” Junior Competitions in 2020 and in 2021. The 2020 winner was Emelia Herrington and this year’s winner was Billy Hauck. With so many wonderful entries and therefore so many results to announce, it was necessary to move very quickly. Each person’s winning certificate was presented by Cllr Frances King in record time. There was a distinct party atmosphere during the interval whilst the delicious canapes and wine were served. The second half concluded with the presentation of class winners and the awarding of trophies by Chairman Elaine Best.

Rosemary Tribe received the replica Roxburghe cup as is tradition after winning in 2019, followed by all the Best in each category winners. The Mike Chapman Memorial award for the best vegetable garden was presented by his widow, Celia. Adam Aaronson presented the Judges’ Prize, a beautiful and unique glass sculpture. The Deputy Mayor presented the Community Cup and the Roxburghe Trophy for the overall winner, sharing with everyone that he and his wife were also very keen gardeners, so it was very appropriate that they were able to come as guests to our Presentation Evening. Elaine Best closed the evening with a vote of thanks to all the organisers of the competition praising this flagship event on the Parish Council’s calendar as a quintessentially, rural community event, she went on to say, “as a rural village we need to fight for its preservation and continued existence.” Her words and emotional delivery were heartily supported by bursts of enthusiastic clapping, which brought the wonderful evening to a reluctant close. We hope to see even more new entries next year and a good showing of our stalwarts too, so happy gardening and see MORE of you in 2022! Mel Beynon - [email protected]

We hope to see even more new entries next year and good showing of our stalwarts too, so happy gardening and see you in 2022.