August: Garden Party

August: Garden Party

West Farleigh was visited on Thursday 4th July by Vince Gradwell and Paul Dalby, our 2 designated judges for the South and South East in Bloom competition. The Good Intent kindly hosted us for the start of our presentation with many Bloom members welcoming the judges and giving progress updates. The pub was looking beautiful with their hanging baskets, sunflowers and table posies, the latter courtesy of Bow Meadow flowers on Bow Hill. We discussed the Green and drove down Charlton Lane noting the additions to the village information signs an beautifully kept front gardens, stopped off at Teston Triangle Wildlife area for an update from Ray, our Farleigh Feathers columnist, admired the group effort made by Mill Lane residents and pointed out all the new planters built and filled. The ‘Village’ entry culminated as the ‘Churchyard’ entry started at All Saints church where we were met by more of our volunteers as well as the Kent Messenger for a photograph and article. The judges gave constructive feedback to help guide our efforts and were very impressed across the horticulture, environmental and community categories. We find out the results in September… Unfortunately 3 new planters have been stolen from Charlton Lane over the past month. This will not deter our efforts but is very sad, especially to those residents who created and looked after them. On a more positive note we have received entries for the Name the Bug Hotel competition featured last month and will announce the winner shortly. Date for your diary: on Sunday 11 August 3-5 pm we will be holding our first ever GARDEN PARTY!