Botley in Bloom - Presentation Evening
Here are this year's Winners/Runners up at our Presentation Evening for our Summer Gardening Competition 2023, with the Mayor of Eastleigh, Nick Couldrey, presenting the Awards, held on 5 October at the Masonic Centre, Brook Lane.
Our two Speakers, Mike Wrigley, Chairman of Botley Allotment Association, spoke on the pros and cons of having an Allotment. Also, Clare and Neil from Mayfield Nurseries/Solent Mind, Weston, talked about the benefits of gardening and mental health improvements. They also brought along a selection of plants for sale.
All entrants photos of their gardens/baskets/containers/allotments/vegetable plots were displayed on boards and we also had a raffle. The Evening was concluded with a finger buffet, which is Botley in Bloom's thank you to all our Entrants.
Botley in Bloom endeavours to be a self-funding group, but without a grant from Eastleigh Borough Council, sponsorship of our Trophy engraving by Rosewood Electricals, a donation from Botley Mills and Botley residents, our Evening would not be possible. Also a thank you to Lalys Pharmacy for distribution/collection of paper Entry forms.
We would also like to thank this year's Judges, Kevin Clare of Hambrooks Nurseries, Ltd, Sue Barnes of Hedge End Horticultural Society, David Bastable & Dennis Blake, groundsmen with Botley Parish Council. Ben Forsyth of Jackson Bailey Estate Agents, who provided those eye-catching Boards around the Village advertising our Competition. Ben also judged our Best Kept Road category, won by Ravenscroft Way. Gary & Caroline Bowers, who judged Best Business Premises, won by The Peartree Inn.
The Judges really do enjoy their duties and look forward to seeing the variety of gardens/vegetables, endeavouring to select Winners/runners up from.
Last, but not least, thanks to our potter, Sandie Dixon of Southampton, who has been making the hand-made pottery plaques for us since 2013. Sandie's designs are totally original and loved by everyone who is fortunate to receive a plaque.
So, at the beginning of June 2024, we'll be commencing our Summer Gardening Competition all over again and if you would like to be in our Group Photograph, all you have to do is Enter - electronic entries will be available on
You don't have to be an expert - just someone who enjoys gardening AND wants to contribute to making Botley in Bloom.