Horley in Bloom winners announced

The Horley in Bloom Organising Committee said it was again “delighted” by the take-up of the 19-year-old annual competition by local green-fingered hopefuls entering its classes for the first time.

Horley in Bloom chairman Mike George said: “We were delighted to see so many newcomers entering the competition this year, and our judges were once again extremely impressed with the high quality of the entries.”

The competition has grown in popularity in recent years with the improved showing of the town in the annual South and South East in Bloom Competition, and the Horley in Bloom Committee is keen to maintain the progress of the event.

This year's competition was, as usual, split into nine categories.

The Residential Front Garden competition was won by Catherine Robertson, with Anthony Lacey and Samantha Pizzie joint second. The Residential Back Garden class was won by Sue Sherwin, with second place going to Catherine Robertson, and Veronica Ballard highly commended.

John Hay won the competition's Flats section, with John Byrne second, while the Hanging Basket / Planter category was won by The Farmhouse pub, with Brian Hawes and Anthony Lacey joint second.

The Community category was won by Sharea, Reigate Road, with Delta House second and Horley Bowling Club highly commended.

Springwood Guest House came first in the Commercial class, with Horley and District Constitutional Club second, The Farmhouse took the top honour in the Public Houses section, ahead of second-placed Ye Olde Six Bells and the highly commended Kings Head, and in the Schools category, Horley Infant School were the winners, ahead of second-placed Charlwood Village Infant School.

The Best Newcomer title went to Veronica Ballard, with Delta House and Sharea, Reigate Road, both highly commended.

The Horley in Bloom awards presentation evening will be held at Regent House in Albert Road, Horley, on Friday, September 26.