Swindon Celebrates Gardening Honours with regional and national honours. Percy Thrower (Google him!) eat your heart out.
Shared enthusiasm, generosity and year-round commitment have brought a remarkable collection of national and regional awards to South Swindon in Bloom.
On 20th October, South Swindon won the hotly-contested National RHS Community Engagement Award. All at the Britain in Bloom ceremony in Rochdale Town Hall.
![Swindon Celebrates Gardening Honours - (South Swindon In Bloomers [left to right] Alan Holland, Dan Fishlock, Linda Kasmaty, Josie Slade, Steve Hills, Holly Barand and Sadie Calder, with In Bloom judge Jon Wheatley [second left] at the regional South West In Bloom awards)
Photo by Zachary Wiegand](https://swindonian.me/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Picture-1.jpg)
Swindon Celebrates Gardening Honours – (South Swindon In Bloomers [left to right] Alan Holland, Dan Fishlock, Linda Kasmaty, Josie Slade, Steve Hills, Holly Barand and Sadie Calder, with In Bloom judge Jon Wheatley [second left] at the regional South West In Bloom awards)
Photo by Zachary Wiegand
Selection process
The national award followed a rigorous selection process. It involved a specialist panel considering South Swindon’s written assessment. Along with video and wider community activities. The RHS praised the collaboration that brings people together and strengthens community resilience.
Three days later, at the South West in Bloom awards in Newquay, further recognition followed. A Gold in Champion of Champions. Then the overall Champion of Champions title and cup. That followed by the prestigious Glendale Sponsors Award for the most meritorious entry. Also the RHS Best Landscaping award for Town Gardens.
Alongside these honours came RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood awards, for our thirty-four community gardens. And three It’s Your School awards.
Behind these achievements are more than 200 volunteers working across 37 community sites and schools. Their generosity transforms local spaces, supports wildlife and builds friendships, confidence and belonging. Plants are grown and shared, knowledge passed on, and newcomers encouraged to lend a hand.
Swindon schools grow together
Through Swindon Schools Grow Together, connections between:
- school
- community growers and …
- allotment groups …
… also helps children discover gardening and take pride in their surroundings.
Above all, these awards recognise the volunteers whose quiet dedication makes it happen. Every seed sown, plant watered and welcoming conversation contributes to something worth celebrating. Schools, gardens and communities growing side by side.
If you are an individual a business or an organisation that would like to get involved, please contact us.
Contact:
Linda Kasmaty – Old Town and Lawn Parish Councillor
lkasmaty@southswindon-pc.gov.uk
@southswindoninbloom
