SUMMER SHOW 2025

Attended by the Deputy Mayor of Bournemouth

Councillor George Farquhar

David Bassil, our Show Manager checks his list for the first winners and discovers it is he himself! Well done, David for your amazing entries and organising the Show.

Linda Wigmore and Sue Gravgaard received two trophies each for their entries.

Darren Bell, Jane Kelly and Peter Whiting receive their trophies.

Jan Baldwin and Frances Sim with their trophies.

Dolcie Woodhouse and Violet Black were unable to attend but Councillor George picked up their prizes which were delivered to them later.

Here is a selection of exhibits …..

Councillor George is intrigued with an old photo …… more information below.

With Mr Brian Woodsford in 1990 to celebrate her 100th birthday.

The Plant Sale proved to be a great success ……

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor George Farquhar enjoys the show …….

Looking forward to a cuppa and cake with Mrs Jan Baldwin

A gift for Councillor George - an apron with a picture of himself and Billy.

We pointed out he was wearing the same shirt!

“My secret is out,” he said.

Standing left to right: Basil Spong (son) James Spong (1856 - 1902)

Seated left to right: Ruth Helena Spong (daughter) Matilda Spong (wife) Henry (Harry) William Spong (son)

On the ground: Hilda Mary Spong (daughter)

Mr James Spong (1856 - 1902) was Head Gardener for Lord and Lady Cairns who lived in a residence called Lindisfarne in Gervis Road, Bournemouth. Lord Cairns served as Lord High Chancellor under Benjamin Disraeli.

As a keen horticulturalist James was part of the then Chrysanthemum Society. Having lost their treasurer, John James Swaffield, they wanted “somebody having relevant knowledge and appropriate social skills to supervise the show’s design, structure and operation”.

They turned to James Spong who had been instrumental in forming the Bournemouth Horticultural Mutual Improvement Society which was the forerunner of the Bournemouth Horticultural Society that we know today.

Mr Brian Woodsford of New Milton contacted Bournemouth in Bloom to kindly give us this photograph. He and his wife were friends with Hilda Spong who in later life moved to New Milton. Below are photographs of Hilda’s 100th birthday celebrations.

Hilda Mary Spong (1890 - 1995)

Enjoying the celebrations.

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SCHOOLS’ COMPETITION WINNERS 2025

PAUL KEELEY FROM
WINTON PRIMARY CAN’T BELIEVE IT!

2nd

Bournemouth School for Girls

YES, IT REALLY IS YOU!

1st PLACE

3rd

Bournemouth Collegiate School

5th

Cat’s Whisker’s Nursery School

Maria Tidy from Cherry Tree Nursery accepts the Sponsor’s Plaque

WINTON PRIMARY SCHOOL WINNER 2025

4th

St Walburga’s Primary School

THANKS TO CHERRY TREE NURSERY WHO SPONSORED US BY DONATING VOUCHERS FOR THE WINNERS’ PRIZES

THANKS TO FOREVA HAIR WHO SPONSORED OUR BLUE PLAQUES

www.forevahair.co.uk

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Spring Show 2025

Winners received their trophies from

The Mayor of Bournemouth,

Councillor George Farquhar and his Consort, Billy.

Sue Gravgaard is awarded trophies for her entries. Well done, Sue. Well deserved.

Jane Kelly looks happy whilst Billy looks on.

Mr Mayor holds the little trophy aloft………

David Bassil reads out a long list of awards won by ONE entrant… The Mayor is stunned.

The Mayor and Billy arrive

Frances Sim receives her trophy with a smile.

Frances Sim does it again!

…… as Jan Baldwin comes forward.

The list goes on and on as Mr Mayor is in awe of …

Admiring Jan Baldwin’s handiwork

One of our newer entrants, Linda Wigmore receives her trophy.

Violet Black receives her cup for her amazing artwork. Great work, Violet!

Jan does it again with her fantastic handicraft.

…… David Bassil - a worthy winner.

Enjoying a catch up with member, Jill Abbott

‘Now, which treat would Billy prefer?’

…… Delicious!

The Mayor surprises Jane, Anne and David with the Mayor’s Award

The hall was a riot of colour and the scent was wonderful

Our plant sale was very popular…..

Children’s Paintings

A selection of Handicrafts

Councillor George Farquhar

Mayor of Bournemouth

Mr Mayor wins a raffle prize!

Discussing art with Violet Black

We surprised the Mayor with a hamper …..

‘What’s in here?’

A hamper full of doggy goodies!

Thank you to everyone who made our show possible from the volunteers to the members and visitors with a special big thank you to our Show Manager,

David Bassil.

See you all on Saturday 5th July for our Summer Show

Billy, you choose ……

John West

Winner - Large Back Gardens

Drumconner Care Home

Winner - Loving Care Homes

Epiphany Church

Winner - Churches

Collingwood Hotel

Winner - BAHA Large Hotels Presented by David Bailey

Farrington Court

Winner - Champion Tree

BCP Council Kings Park Team

Winner - Special Chairman’s Award

Rad Howard

Thanks and recognition for many years’ service to Bournemouth in Bloom as Treasurer

Maria Tidy

Thanks and recognition for her Zoom presentation about the work of Cherry Tree Nursery

Another view of the many gardening enthusiasts at our Awards event

2024 Summer Competition

Awards for the winning entries presented by Deputy Mayor Cllr Mrs Anne Filer

Ali Knight, unable to attend.

Winner - Hanging Baskets/Window Boxes

Maureen Telford

Winner - Front Patio/Container Garden

Judith Hodges, unable to attend

Winner - Large Front Gardens

Iris Newman

Winner - Small Front Gardens

Farrington Court

Winner - Communal Grounds

Darren Pask and Chris Kelu

Winner - Small Back Gardens

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum

Winner - Large Public Spaces

Bournemouth Electric Bowls Club

Winner - Bowling Clubs/Sports Facilities

Balincourt Hotel, unable to attend

Winner - BAHA Small Hotels

Bournemouth Natural Science Society

Winner - Tree contributing to diversity

Branksome Heights Care Home

Winner - Sensory Gardens

Southbourne Community Gardening Squad

Winner - Rod Cooper Community Award

Brian Robbins

Thanks and recognition for support from the Miramar Hotel

The room at the West Cliff Hotel was full for our 2024 Awards event

Our Chairman, Revd Chris Colledge being presented with gifts to thank him for so many years of service to Bournemouth in Bloom on his retirement

Cherry Tree Nursery

Winner - Small Public Spaces

Beet Language Centre

Winner - Colleges/Places of Learning

Marsham Court Hotel

Winner - Commercial Baskets

Simon Sanderson

Winner - Small Ornamental Tree

Kingsman House Care Home

Winner - Environmentally Friendly Spaces

BCP Council Parks Team

Winner - Special Chairmans Award

John West

Award for a Garden of Excellence

Phil Broomfield

Thanks and recognition for his Zoom presentation about the Russell-Cotes garden

The Deputy Mayor, Clr Mrs Filer being presented with flowers by our Minute Secretary Frances Sim

Sue Gravgaard receives 2 trophies. Well done, Sue.

Frances Sim is delighted with her win!

Jane Kelly receives her award with Billy taking a great interest

Autumn Show 2024

Winners presented with their awards by

The Mayor Of Bournemouth, Councillor George Farquhar

Our Show Manager, Mr David Bassil picks up the first award

Mrs Margaret Williams presents the Brian Williams Memorial Cup to David Bassil

Our current Vice Chair, Mrs Jane Kelly

David Bassil does it again!

Mrs Linda Wigmore

Mr Peter Whiting

Mrs Janet Baldwin

Well done, again, Linda Wigmore.

Peter Whiting will need a lot of polish to keep this award shiny!

Mrs Jane Kelly

Our Vice Chair, Mrs Jane Kelly, welcomes the Mayor

Mr Mayor was very impressed with the selection of fruit on display

Mrs Linda Wigmore has only taken part in our shows this year and very successfully.

Mr Bryan Madders came prepared for the rain and it was all worth while

Mr Paul Brett

Mrs Sue Gravgaard

Mrs Frances Sim

Mrs Frances Sim does it yet again …..

Yes, David Bassil receives another award - well deserved

Mrs Janet Baldwin collects her second award for her wonderful handicraft work

Mr Kevin Bassil picks up the award for his daughter, Sophie Bassil

Well done, again, Mrs Sue Gravgaard

David Bassil does it again with this magnificent trophy

Mrs Frances Sim

Mr Peter Whiting

Mrs Frances Sim and Ms Linda Wigmore are joint winners

…..And so does David Bassil

Mr Darren Bell

Mrs Frances Sim does it again too

… and to keep it in the family, David Bassil receives another award too

Mr RAD Howard presents The Pat Howard Memorial cup to Mrs Linda Wigmore

Mr Mayor helps Darren Bell hold his cup aloft!

Mr Mayor, Councillor George Farquhar, enjoys the show

Mr Mayor stops off for a cuppa and admires the blooms

Mr Darren Bell receives a congratulatory hand shake for his entries

Mrs Jane Kelly thanks the Mayor for his enthusiastic visit and kind words with a beautiful gift of fruit

‘Look at these beautiful marrows!”

Well done, Mr Peter Whiting, for your wonderful display of fruit and vegetables

‘Thank you’, cried the Mayor as he shows that the weight of the fruit is not too much for him!

A selection of our entrants

A selection of cakes and handcrafts

A big thank you to all our entrants for taking part. Without you there would be no show.

Well done again, Mrs Janet Baldwin

Summer Show 2024

Awards presented to our winners by

The Mayor of Bournemouth

Councillor George Farquhar

Congratulations to all our winners and to all those who took part

Mr Tony Ashford

Mrs Frances Sim

Mr David Bassil

Mr Paul Brett

Well done again, Tony

Mrs Linda Wigmore

David Bassil wins again ..

Mrs Sue Gravgaard

Mr Darren Bell

Our Show Manager, Mr David Bassil

Mr Peter Whiting

Master Bassil

The Mayor gets a few tips from the experts

Mrs Sue Gravgaard

Mr David Bassil

…. and again

Mrs Frances Sim

Mr Tony Ashford

Mrs Janet Baldwin

Winners of the 2024 Schools’ Competition!

1st PRIZE - ST MARTIN’S SCHOOL

2nd PRIZE - KINSON ACADEMY AND WINCHELSEA SCHOOL

JOINT 3rd PRIZE CATS’ WHISKERS NURSERY

JOINT 3rd PRIZE - WINTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

SCHOOLS FROM OUR GARDENING COMPETITION 2024

THE MAYOR OF BOURNEMOUTH, COUNCILLOR GEORGE FARQUHAR, UNWRAPS HIS SURPRISE!

“THANK YOU, MR MAYOR, YOU MADE OUR DAY”

Our Annual Meeting held at Hotel Miramar on 18th April

The Mayor of Bournemouth, Councillor Anne Filer and our Chairman Reverend Chris Colledge, presented blue plaques for Community Awards. Mr Rad Howard presented Bournemouth in Bloom with the Pat Howard Memorial Cup to be awarded to the winner of most points for floral arrangements in our shows.

PHOTOS FROM OUR SPRING SHOW APRIL 2024

…….. and now some Awards being presented by The Mayor of Bournemouth, Councillor Anne Filer

……. come back soon for more photos! Woof!