Held at the Brandon Royal British Legion, the evening of Friday 5th December brought together the many individuals and groups who have contributed their time and effort to keeping the town vibrant and flourishing.

Guests were welcomed by Cllr Victor Lukaniuk, who opened the event with an introduction and a reading of the awards Brandon received this year from both Anglia in Bloom and Britain in Bloom, recognising the town’s ongoing dedication to environmental enhancement and community pride.

Following the introduction, West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy addressed attendees, thanking volunteers for their commitment and emphasising the value of grassroots community projects. He then presented certificates for the RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood scheme, celebrating the hard work of local groups who have improved their streets, green spaces and shared environments.

A buffet, provided by the Brandon Royal British Legion, offered a welcome break and a chance for guests to catch up before the evening raffle.

The final segment of the night was led by Cllr Phil Wittam, Chairman of both West Suffolk Council and Brandon Town Council, who presented Brandon in Bloom’s Certificates of Appreciation. These were awarded to the volunteers, local groups and businesses who support Brandon in Bloom on a regular basis, recognising their consistent contribution to planting, maintenance, fundraising and community engagement throughout the year.

The ceremony closed with warm applause for all involved, highlighting once again that Brandon in Bloom is powered not only by flowers, but by the dedication and enthusiasm of the community itself.

The grant will help the group grow its community gardening projects, taking its work beyond the town centre and developing new areas for residents to enjoy.

Rachel Sobiechowski, one of the group’s directors, said the funding will have a big impact:

“I’m so excited to have received this funding. It will make a huge difference to the group, allowing us to expand out of the town centre and into new areas — enhancing green spaces deeper in our community.”

She also encouraged more people to get involved in the next phase of the project:

“We will need new volunteers to come forward to help us create and maintain this new area. If you live in the Green Road or Paddocks area and would like to help, please contact me at rachel@brandoninbloom.co.uk.”

This funding will support Brandon in Bloom’s ongoing mission to brighten the town, support wildlife, and bring neighbours together through shared gardening projects.

A huge thank you goes to National Lottery players for making this possible.

The poppies are crafted by the Brandon Suffolk Yarn Bombers, a creative group of around 50 people who regularly knit and crochet for community displays. Formed exactly eight years ago today, the group are also Guinness World Record holders for creating the longest line of pompoms in 2022, made to celebrate the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee.

Each year, the yarn poppies are carefully stored and reused, with an additional 1,200 new poppies handmade this year for displays along the High Street. These complement the existing tributes at The Rose Garden and The Wedge.

A striking 15-square-metre poppy net is also on display at the Old School House, with thanks to the Brandon Town Council staff who assisted in hanging the display.

The Royal British Legion red poppy remains a powerful symbol of remembrance and hope for peace. Founded in 1921, the Poppy Appeal raises vital funds to support serving personnel, veterans, and their families—helping them whenever and however they need it. Wearing or displaying a poppy is a simple yet meaningful act of gratitude and solidarity with the Armed Forces community.

To donate to this year’s Poppy Appeal, please visit www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise-for-us/poppy-appeal or give generously to the poppy collectors located in Aldi and Tesco Brandon.

Lest We Forget.

The group was one of six finalists in its category and among 44 finalists nationwide competing across all sections of the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship competition.

Adding to the celebrations, Brandon in Bloom director Rachel Sobiechowski received a Community Champion Award, recognising her outstanding contribution to the group and the wider community.

Gary Brocklehurst, fellow director of Brandon in Bloom, said: “It’s fantastic to have maintained our Gold standard again this year, and even more special that, for a second awards ceremony running, one of our members has been recognised as a Community Champion.”

Rachel Sobiechowski said the day had been an emotional one: “I’m completely overwhelmed by today’s event – it was such a special experience and a huge surprise to receive a Community Champion Award. I’ve shed more than a few tears!

“My heartfelt thanks go to all our volunteers and my fellow directors – none of what we do would be possible without each and every one of these wonderful people.”

The group previously won Gold in the 2023 Britain in Bloom awards and continues to be recognised for its dedication to enhancing the town’s environment, promoting sustainability, and bringing the community together through horticulture.

This year’s Halloween display turns the season’s familiar spider sightings into an opportunity to learn and create. The exhibition explores why spiders become more visible in autumn, highlighting their fascinating life cycles and their vital role in keeping insect populations under control.

Helping to bring the theme to life were the children from Glade Academy, who designed and built a giant spider from recycled materials and a web filled with handmade cork spiders. Their imaginative contributions are at the heart of the display, combining environmental awareness with hands-on creativity.

The project was also supported by the Brandon Creative Forum and the Brandon Yarn Bombers, who added their own flair with colourful knitted spiders and webs. Alongside these eye-catching creations, visitors can also enjoy a series of fun and fascinating spider facts, helping to demystify these often-misunderstood creatures and spark curiosity about the natural world.

Together, these local groups have transformed The Friendly Bench into a vibrant celebration of nature and community collaboration. As autumn sets in, spiders are more active than usual — many species are reaching adulthood, searching for mates, or seeking out warmer spaces to spend the winter. While their sudden appearance can cause alarm, understanding these behaviours helps us see spiders as essential parts of our ecosystem. By controlling insect populations, they help maintain a natural balance that benefits us all.

Visitors to The Friendly Bench are encouraged to stop by, admire the display, and perhaps see these eight-legged creatures in a new light. Through creativity, learning, and teamwork, the community has shown that even the spookiest symbols of the season can teach us something valuable about the world around us.

A team of eight volunteers proudly represented Brandon at this year’s ceremony, which took place on Thursday 4th September at Burgess Hall, St Ives, Cambridgeshire.

The annual event, hosted by radio duo Steve Scruton and Ian Wyatt, celebrates achievements in horticulture, sustainability and community pride across the region.

The day began with the Virtual Awards, recognising areas such as cemeteries, public parks and hotels through photo-based submissions. While Brandon did not enter these categories this year, Brandon in Bloom are encouraging local businesses and groups to consider taking part in future.

Brandon then took centre stage in the Special Awards. These categories are not open for entry but are chosen directly by the judges, making every nomination a surprise and a real honour. Brandon was shortlisted in three areas:

• Area for Wildlife: Wellington Close
• Sustainable Planting: Fred’s Green Wall
• 30 Years of Anglia in Bloom: Parading Parasols

These nominations highlight the variety of work being carried out across Brandon, from supporting biodiversity to championing sustainable planting techniques and adding artistic flair to public spaces.

The highlight of the day was Brandon’s Gold Award win in the Town category, cementing the group’s reputation for consistent excellence.

Adding to the celebrations, long-standing volunteer Mick Flack was honoured with the George Dawson Award, recognising his outstanding dedication to the bloom effort.

Guests enjoyed a light lunch, raffle and plenty of time to share experiences with fellow bloom groups. The overall Anglia in Bloom 2025 winner was Dunstable in Bloom, while Oxburgh Estate took home Best Newcomer.

Looking ahead, Brandon will host the Autumn Seminar on 13th November at The Harvest Centre, welcoming entrants from across six counties. The event will provide feedback from judges and announce results for Brandon’s 15 It’s Your Neighbourhood entries.

But before that, all eyes are on the Britain in Bloom Awards in Brighton on 31st October, where Brandon will proudly represent the town on the national stage.

Over the following couple of weeks, residents across the town can expect to see volunteers delivering awards to front gardens that help make Brandon a brighter, more welcoming place.

The scheme is designed to celebrate effort rather than perfection. We’re not looking for professionally landscaped lawns or prize-winning flowerbeds, but instead want to acknowledge the time, care, and imagination that residents put into their front gardens.

We know not everyone has the time, resources, or ability to create a show garden; what matters is effort and pride. Even small touches like hanging baskets, colourful tubs, or a tidy border can make a huge difference.

Certificates will be awarded to a wide range of gardens, from modest patches bursting with colour to creative displays that show individuality. The group hopes that by recognising these contributions, more residents will feel inspired to take part and enjoy the benefits of gardening, however big or small their space.

The initiative follows a recent visit from Britain in Bloom judges, who toured the Brandon to see the town’s progress. Local volunteers say that rewarding everyday gardeners is just as important as impressing national judges, as it helps to build pride and community spirit on every street.

Brandon in Bloom continues to encourage residents to get involved, whether through gardening, volunteering, or simply supporting neighbours who are doing their bit to keep the town looking its best.

Last October Anglia in Bloom asked us to participate in the national finals of Britain in Bloom, the largest horticultural campaign in the United Kingdom.

Judging takes places over two years in two stages, which started in 2024 for this round of judging.

Anglia in Bloom, as a regional judging panel, submitted their entries following their judging that year. Brandon was lucky to be one of those put forward for the national finals in 2025.

After the judging of the regional stage, the best entrants from their region are put forward for the second UK-wide stage. To ensure that effort is sustained over time, this second stage of judging takes place in August the year after they qualify. Winners of the UK judging are announced at a prestigious ceremony in October.

Two sets of judging in one year can be demanding, but in Brandon we try to be “Judging Ready” all year. Our aim is constant pride in our town, not just medals.

On Wednesday 6th August, Britain in Bloom judges Roger Burnett and Ian Beaney arrived by train for their visit. That evening, a BBQ at the Bridge Hotel – where they were staying – brought together Bloom volunteers, the Happy to Sing Choir, councillors, council staff, and the West Suffolk Director of Operations. Volunteers were thanked with gifts from directors Gary, Rachel and Claire, plus cupcakes from Burtons Bakes.

The next morning, under sunny skies, the tour began at 7:45am. First stop: the Heritage Centre for a presentation on our past year’s work, rabbit topiaries, and white blooms. At the Rose Garden, we explained muntjac damage to the “Super Trouper” roses and our plans to prevent it, showing striking before photos from its COVID-era transformation.

From there, the judges saw the Town Council’s multi-coloured planters, Wellington Close wildlife garden, and Brandon Country Park, where ranger Sarah Austin shared highlights – and molehills caught Ian’s interest. At the Friendly Bench, they enjoyed choir performances, a Jane Austen reading in Regency dress, and unusual flowers like Ptilotus ‘Joey’.

We pointed out swift boxes, the King’s Coronation Garden, utility boxes painted by Glade Academy, and The Hive’s solar-powered tools. The tour also took in new recycling bins, the Regency Zoo display, hanging baskets, and a parasol-themed window in an empty shop. Rachel demonstrated a pollution monitor, earning praise from Roger for tackling air quality – something unusual among Bloom groups.

Finally, at our showpiece The Wedge, the judges admired a new green wall behind Fred The Flintknapper, fan-trained fruit trees laden with peaches, and scented Antirrhinum ‘Appleblossom,’ which Roger hopes to stock himself. After coffee at No. 30 and packed lunches from Tilly’s Tearoom, we waved them off to their next stop.

The next day, Ian sent a warm thank-you for our kindness and hospitality. We’ll learn the results on 31st October in Brighton, travelling with friends from Bury in Bloom.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed – not just on judging day, but throughout the past year. Our regular Bloomers deserve special praise for braving all weathers to keep Brandon looking its best. We’re also deeply grateful to our sponsors, whose generosity makes our floral displays possible, and to our supporters, whose cheers, beeps, and kind words lift our spirits. Whatever the results, Brandon in Bloom leaves us with the true reward: a cleaner, brighter, and more beautiful town for everyone to enjoy.

Following three heat waves this summer, it was inevitable that the long-anticipated judging day would be rainy. Brandon has never been judged in rain before; in fact on Julia’s last visit to Brandon, on 19th July 2022, it was the hottest day ever recorded at 38.4C!

Our 3-hour route started at The Heritage Centre, where we were welcomed by the manager Jenny Brocklehurst. A 15-minute presentation was held at the centre starting with an opening speech by Brandon in Bloom director, Gary Brocklehurst, followed by viewing presentation boards showing the groups activities over the past year. Before leaving the centre, a speech from the Jane Austen Novel ‘Persuasion’ was read to the judges by Weeting All Star Performers (WASPs), who were all dressed in full regency outfits.

After the presentation the judges were given a demonstration of the water butt planters that are dotted around the town centre, including at the Heritage Centre. They seemed very impressed by the design and use of space. It was then onto the Rose Garden, followed by the wildlife area at Wellington Close.

A car journey took us to Glade Academy to meet with teachers Mrs Peck & Ms Street along with some pupils from the school, who kindly attended even though the school had closed for the summer. The pupils and teachers have been working hard to improve the school’s outdoor areas, and we were greeted with lots of colourful planters that had been planted by the children. We took a walk around the grounds to the vegetable plots which have a solar pump keeping the vegetables watered from a water butt during the holidays – a very clever idea! The judges later presented a certificate to be given to Glade Academy in recognition of the efforts in a ‘Young Persons’ project.

It was then back into the car and onto Brandon Country Park where we met with rangers from West Suffolk Council, Sarah Austin and Paula Wahl, along with volunteers who work at the centre every Thursday. The judges were shown around the walled garden and the lake.

From here we headed to the Friendly Bench on Bury Road, where the Brandon Happy to Sing Choir joyfully sung three specially chosen songs for the day. The judges really appreciated the entertainment, clapping and singing along despite the heavy rain! They were shown the community vegetable planters and particularly liked the cut flower bed, including our GOLD raspberry canes. The sensory planting at the Friendly Bench provided the perfect backdrop to another performance by WASPs, this time a reading from Sense and Sensibility from ‘Mr & Mrs Bennett’.

We took a quick visit to the library, then our King’s Coronation Garden, followed by the volunteer’s area at ‘The Hive’. The judges were very impressed by the solar panels and how tidy the area was.

We headed to over to Market Hill and the judges got a glimpse of the Wedge Regency Display. Our judges were shown the town sign planter, wonderfully cared for by Brandon Town Keepers, and they noted the unusual orange dark leaved Dahlias chosen by Simon Hobson from West Suffolk Council. We also pointed out the brilliant children’s games painted on the market square by our town council.

It was then onto the Regency Zoo, created by Craig from the Hare Salon. Three shop windows dressed with various animals hand painted by Craig. The patchwork flamingo underplanted with pink loosestrife was noted by the judges for time it must have taken to create.

Turn around and we were shortly at the old ‘Corner Shop’ parasol window display. This was the idea of Brandon in Bloom director, Claire Watts, to celebrate 30 years of Anglia in Bloom. Assisted by volunteers to decorate the parasols, the decorative display was created by Claire along with Susan Nutt and Gill Flack. The judges noted how inspired the display was in using an empty shop. Our thanks to Mike at the Carpet Shop for access and Chase Timber Products for lending us the trellis.

Brandon in Bloom director, Rachel Sobiechowski, then went on to demonstrate her latest favourite gardening tool, a pollution monitor. Being a rainy day, the pollution levels were lower than usual, however particulate matter levels still read as ‘moderate’. The judges were impressed with our solution to use planting to capture the potentially dangerous particulates.

It was finally time to visit our showpiece area, the Wedge. Firstly, a stop at Fred’s new green wall then to admire the fan trained fruit trees which are currently full of fruit including peaches! And the three bed displays where it was noted our use of previous display pieces; the judges liked the repainting of the teacups by volunteer Serena Queeney.

Brandon in Bloom volunteers then stepped in for a group photo and our three hours were complete.

Following a refreshment break the judges went on to visit neighbourhood projects at Princes Close (Bruce Weetman), Brandon Allotments including the community flower garden, St Peter’s Centre (formerly Church Institute), The Avenue to view the Jane Austen lanterns created by Brandon Creative Forum, Green Road (Val & Jenny Puttock and Sam Vare) and to the Harvest Centre to meet with Jean Samtula and other volunteer gardeners.

After a coffee, cake and sandwiches provided by the Harvest Centre it was time to wave goodbye to the judges at around 5:15pm. An extremely long day for our volunteers who had worked exceptionally hard in the run up to judging. We received an email from our judges on Friday 25th, thanking us for the day stating “Just to say thank you very much for your hospitality yesterday, we had a most enjoyable day and met with some enthusiastic volunteers who obviously care very much for their local environment”. Now we wait for the results on 4th September, held at a ceremony at Burgess Hall in St Ives, Cambridgeshire.

A very big thank you to everyone who participated not just on judging day but throughout the past 12 months. Especially to our team of regular bloomers who, as you all know, are out in all weathers. Our thanks also go to all our sponsors without whom we wouldn’t have any funding to be able to create our floral displays to brighten up our town. We must also thank the street cleansing and horticultural teams from West Suffolk Council, who were out in force tidying our town in preparation for judging.

Finally thank you to our supporters; your cheers, beeps, and messages of support really mean the world to us.

The results of the campaign are just a bonus, through Brandon in Bloom our town benefits from a cleaner, brighter, improved environment for all of us to enjoy.

Britain in Bloom judges arrive on 6th August, for judging on 7th August. So, it’s no rest for the team just yet!

See our full gallery below.