On Friday, 1st August, Thetford Town Council hosted the finalists of the Thetford in Bloom 2025 Horticultural Competition Awards Evening at the historic Guildhall in Thetford. Nominations opened in May and June 2025, inviting residents to recognise individuals and businesses who have contributed to enhancing the town’s beauty through flowers, gardens, and environmental initiatives.
After compiling the nominations, a team of judges, made up of Town Council officers, local gardening group representatives, and volunteers, visited the nominated sites to evaluate them and decided the winners.
Proudly run by Thetford Town Council, the competition celebrates gardeners and eco-conscious champions from across the community, all dedicated to making Thetford a greener, more beautiful place to live.
The awards were presented by Terry Jermy MP, Mayor of Thetford Carla Barreto, and Deputy Mayor Vic Peters, who praised the dedication and pride shown by all entrants as well as those unsung heroes who contribute in other areas of the town.
Winners of the 2025 Thetford in Bloom Horticultural Competition:
Best Front Garden Winner Trevor Burroughs with Mayor Of Thetford, Carla Barreto © Thetford Town Council
Best Front Garden
- First Place – Trevor Burroughs
- Second Place – Roy Carpenter
- Third Place – Ben Sutton
This popular category celebrated individuals who created stunning front gardens that added colour and cheer to their neighbourhoods.
Environmental Champion Winner Glenn Wright with Terry Jermy MP © Thetford Town Council
Environmental Champion
- First Place – Glenn Wright
- Second Place – Angela Downes
- Third Place – John Skirving
This category recognised individuals making a positive environmental impact through gardening and green initiatives within the town. It was judged by Jen Francis, owner of Grow Outdoor Plants, an independent business in Thetford, who received background information for the reasons behind each nomination.
Best Floral Business Display
- First Place – Friends of Thetford Railway Station
- Second Place – Mark Skinner Funeral Service
Both businesses were commended for their creativity and contributions to the town’s floral appeal, with recognition of their ongoing projects throughout the year.
Mayor Carla Barreto expressed, “Events like this demonstrate the strength of community spirit in Thetford. The effort and care put into these gardens and displays truly reflect our town’s pride and love for the environment. Thetford in Bloom continues to highlight the importance of community pride, sustainability, and the power of gardening to uplift and connect people.”
Nick Thompson, Community and Environmental Services Manager at Thetford Town Council, said, “We’re incredibly proud of everyone who participated in this year’s competition. The entries were inspiring and showcased how much our community cares about making Thetford a vibrant and welcoming town. Thetford is full of community spirit and support, with individuals and groups that work together to improve the town. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who helped make the evening a success.”
As part of the Thetford in Bloom initiative, Thetford Town Council also hosts a volunteer group every Friday morning, who assist with horticultural tasks in the communal spaces, including planting, weeding, and other maintenance tasks in the town centre alongside the Council’s Town Team. If you would like more information on the group or would like to get involved, please email the council via mail@thetfordtowncouncil.gov.uk
Promoted content – Please mention the About Thetford website when responding to advertisements
