Dorking Gets Gold
Published On: September 22, 2021

The Dorking Town Partnership are delighted to announce they have been awarded a gold and category winner for this year’s Bid entry in to the South & Southeast in Bloom Competition. The event sponsored by DTP which includes over 320 levy business members showcased Dorking at its very best, highlighting all the continuous work of so many individuals and volunteer groups throughout the year. All the amazing displays have been designed with longevity in mind and placed in specific locations for the enjoyment of everyone.

The entry was comprised of a detailed document prior to judging day listing all the projects from 2020 including, the DTP winter planters, The Friends of Dorking Dorker’s Spook Hunt, Easter Hunt and Christmas Lights with additional sponsorship from DTP and MVDC and newly made Dorking Men’s Shed Christmas Sleighs planted by Patti Lister and Liz Fuller.

Our S&SE in bloom judge arrived in July with The White Horse hosting the welcome introduction presentation by the DTP manager, Miss Liz Fuller event organiser, David Tobitt and Lewis Hoad Dorking Men’s Shed and David Balaam, Dorking Camera Club. This was followed by a time scheduled tour of the town with Individuals, business owners, councillors, and organisations on hand to give information on the exhibits, their work, the history of the town and the Mayflower connection to Dorking.

The judge was very impressed with the huge number of colourful hanging baskets, the numerous plaques of interest, the character, cleanliness, architecture, and overall appearance of the town. On route he viewed various green spaces and features of Dorking including the updated Mayflower boat planters, the nautical bunting made by Priory DofE student Millie Hall in South Street gardens, the cockerel planters, the Mayflower arch, the United Reform Church gardens, the Mullins building, the Dorking Museum and St Martin’s church.

In St Martin’s Walk he interacted with members from The Food Float with their display of local produce, Jacqui Hamlin from the Gin Kitchen who distilled a ‘The Saints and Strangers’ gin using ingredients from The Mayflower Charter and Friends of Dorking members. His tour ended at the Dorking Wanderers Football Ground in the scenic surroundings of Meadowbank with the views of Denbies, Ranmore and Boxhill in the background.

This is very much a team effort and our sincere gratitude to all of those who gave their time and energy to ensuring the best possible presentation of our town which resulted in our first-place gold win. Special thanks to resident gardener Mrs Patti Lister, David Tobitt, Lewis Hoad, and all at the Dorking Men’s Shed, David Balaam and members of the Dorking Camera Club, Diana Adams-Fuller and Priory DofE student Mille Hall for their dedication in achieving this result.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!