Since January 2022 Guildford in Bloom has been an independent association, solely reliant on funding from sponsorship and management by a committee of volunteers. The current economic climate has made sponsorship harder to come by hence we are seeking crowd funding.
Guildford in Bloom has been in place for 42 years (anniversary in June 2023) and has a tremendous following among residents. Each year approximately 16 schools enter and this is gradually increasing year on year. We receive around 200 general entries each year with the largest category being Allotments and Kitchen Gardens, followed by Front Gardens.
We actively encourage Community Groups and Charities – especially those who use gardening as a therapy for their clients – to participate. However we are aware that not everybody with a need – be it actually support or just company – feels they can join a group and we have met many individuals who have found gardening to be their therapy lifeline. When these individuals are recognised for their work it generates a huge boost of confidence and self-esteem that is beyond value.
We have a core committee of volunteers and we are building a network of supporters who step up to help with the preparation and stewarding of events, and help with judging in July.
It is the intention to include a wildlife element in our annual themes for the foreseeable future and long term aspiration would be to be able to create and fund a wildlife project in consultation with the community.
We are also developing a supporters group with whom we communicate 3 times a year and involve them in our events and in judging.
We also act as a catalyst for community groups who need help. In 2022 we sourced 200 plants and a unique bench planter from Chelsea Flower Show for Pond Meadow School who lacked resources to create a sensory garden for their pupils with special needs.