The Cranleigh in Bloom team have taken judges on tours of the village, as part of their entries in two prestigious competitions.

Two judges from the regional South & South East in Bloom Awards 2019 visited Cranleigh on Tuesday 16th July.

A tour route was devised, starting from the Cranleigh Parish Council offices and visiting the Centenary Garden in Snoxhall Fields, before working down the High Street to the Obelisk, and back up the other side to visit the Cinema Pond.

Judges then walked back down the High Street through Stocklund Square and past Cranleigh Village Hall, finishing their tour at the Cranleigh Parish Council offices, taking in the wildflower garden outside the Village Way public conveniences.

The same tour route was repeated, in slightly less favourable weather, on Tuesday 30th July, when two judges from the national RHS Britain in Bloom Awards visited Cranleigh.

This is the first year Cranleigh has reached the finals of Britain in Bloom, representing the region in the ‘town’ category, which is based on the size of our population.

At various points along each tour, volunteers and other representatives met with the judges to share their enthusiasm for the project. Cllr Liz Townsend, chairman of Cranleigh Parish Council, kindly joined the Cranleigh in Bloom team for part of both tours, which were led by Cranleigh in Bloom chairman Martin Bamford.

With the judging days complete, the village must now wait until the winners are revealed in the autumn.

The South & South East in Bloom Awards 2019 take place in Brighton on Friday 13th September, with the RHS Britain in Bloom Awards 2019 taking place in London on Friday 25th October.

Representatives from Cranleigh in Bloom will attend each awards, reporting back with (hopefully) good news.

Volunteers and sponsors will also be recognised at the Cranleigh in Bloom prize giving tea party, which takes place at Cranleigh Arts Centre on Wednesday 18th September.

Photo credit: jtdenyerphoto.com