Closing Date for Entries: Sunday 7 June 2026

Judging: Monday 15 & Tuesday 16 June 2026

Presentation Evening: Friday 3 July 2026 

ONLINE ENTRY FORM COMING IN THE NEW YEAR

West Horsley in Bloom is an annual gardening competition which is open to all residents, businesses, and community groups. 

The aim of the competition is to encourage our community to showcase their gardens and outdoor environment, with an emphasis on imaginative use of flowers, shrubs, trees and landscaping, as well as sustainability and encouraging wildlife. A special children’s competition (Potatoes in the Pot) is included which aims to help them learn how things grow and where food comes from. West Horsley in Bloom also recognises the achievements and hard work that people in the community carry out to create beautiful and uplifting spaces in the village. 

 We thank our generous sponsors for their support, including: Squire’s Garden Centre, Spring Reach Nursery, Adam Aaronson, CT Cars, Artichoke Interiors, Plantpassion, Wimbledon Garden Services, Timberwood Tree Care and Milloe Soft Furnishing. 

West Horsley in Bloom 2025

WINNERS

Best FRONT GARDEN – Rosemary Tribe

Best BACK Garden – Jeremy Miles

Best CONTAINER – Catherine Young

Best ALLOTMENT at Grace & Flavour – Tom Suffolk

Best NON-RESIDENTIAL Display (Large) – Grace & Flavour Community Garden

Best NON-RESIDENTIAL Display (Small) – Glenesk School

SUSTAINABILITY Champion – Walija Chew

Best FIRST TIME Entry – Greg Swarbrick

Mike Chapman Memorial Cup (for Best Vegetable plot) – Diana Brighton

Iliff Community Award – Matt Link @ West Horsley Place Sensory Garden

Judges' Prize – Horsley Station

Roxburghe Cup– Joint winners Walija Chew & Tom Suffolk

Junior Competition Cup – Devon Hypher-Thomas

In addition, 23 Gold, 20 Silver Gilt and 10 Silver certificates were awarded.

West Horsley in Bloom 2025 Report

Over the past two years, judging days for West Horsley in Bloom have presented the judges with totally opposite challenges weather-wise (too hot, too cold!), but this year the conditions were just right. They were joined by two new judges, Sara Cain and Chris Nairn, who were a great addition to the judging panel along with Ann Masset, Sarah Christiansen and Heather Mason. An official photographer, Rex Butcher, joined the team as well this year and patiently accompanied them while 53 entries throughout the village were being judged over two mornings. The photos were displayed at the Presentation evening which took place on 27^th June in the Village Hall so that everyone could appreciate the wonderfully impressive gardens.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Howard Smith and his daughter, Audrey, were in attendance as well as WHPC Chairman Elaine Best, members of the Parish Council and all the competition entrants and their guests. Everyone was welcomed with drinks and canapes which was followed by presentations of the award certificates, prizes and cups to the entrants for all their hard work and outstanding efforts. Celia Chapman who organises the Children’s competition ‘Potato in a Pot’, presented a cup to this year’s winner, Devon Hypher-Thomas for growing the heaviest potato.

A decision was made to include Horsley Station in this year’s competition as it celebrated 140 years since the railway opened and began serving the residents of West and East Horsley. The judges enjoyed meeting with the ‘Friends of Horsley Station’, a group of volunteers who have enhanced the appearance of the station with the introduction of various planters and areas of grass and flowers specially cultivated to encourage wildlife.

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At the end of evening, Cllr Elaine Best thanked all those residents who had taken part, the West Horsley in Bloom Committee and especially the very generous competition sponsors without whom this Community event would not be possible: Squire’s Garden Centre, Spring Reach Nursery, Adam Aaronson, CT Cars, Artichoke Interiors, Plantpassion, Wimbledon Garden Services, Timberwood Tree Care and Milloe Soft Furnishings

Report by Sarah Christiansen and Heather Mason, WHIB 2025 Organisers