…in the Castle Grounds on 3 June 2023

The Guildford in Bloom Blooming Picnic takes place in the Guildford Castle Grounds on 3 June 2023 from 12 noon to 4pm.

The event is free to attend, Guildford in Bloom hopes people will come along with friends and family, bring a picnic and enjoy an afternoon’s entertainment from the bandstand organised by Guildford Fringe Festival. The event has been sponsored by Guildford Fringe Festival, Experience Guildford and Tunsgate Quarter and without their generous support – and the support of our Premium Sponsors; Chapters Financial Ltd and Unigold 2000 Ltd as well as the University of Surrey and Guildford Financial, and Guildford Pubwatch this event could not happen.

In addition to the live music, you can have a go at bowling on the bowling green with Castle Green Bowls club as they celebrate their 100th year. There will also be a Pimms Tent, a Gin Tent with Silent Pool Gin, Cocktails from Fallen Angel and lots of stalls with activities for the children. Guildford in Bloom will be joined by The Fountain Centre, Canterbury Care Centre, Halow Project, Headway Surrey, Surrey Wildlife Trust, BBC Surrey, Experience Guildford, Guildford Twinning Association, Guildford Beekeepers Association and Guildford Pranksters. There will be facepainting for the children and lots of games.

The event takes place 3 weeks before the deadline to enter Guildford in Bloom 2023 – and on their stand visitors can find out about this year’s theme For King and Countryside – and ways to create Pollinator Pit Stops in your garden.

People coming to Blooming Picnic can bring chairs and picnic rugs but no tables or gazebos please. Well behaved dogs are very welcome, but owners need to be aware that it gets crowded and loud.

Guildford in Bloom Chairman, Paul Spooner said: “Blooming Picnic is a highlight of the Guildford calendar – it’s a super afternoon with lots of families enjoying a free afternoon. From our perspective, it’s a good opportunity to get our partners together to share the day and our last big opportunity to persuade people, community groups and businesses to enter the competition.

It’s also an opportunity for us to get our valued sponsors together.

In order to run Blooming Picnic again next year we are currently crowd-funding to ensure that Blooming Picnic and our competition remain free and happen in 2024 – full details of how you can support us with a pledge can be found on our website.”

Charlotte Wyschna, Managing Director of Guildford Fringe says: “Guildford Fringe Festival are very pleased to be helping organise the Picnic once again after setting the event up with Guildford in Bloom all those year ago. It has grown into a wonderful event which is always so well attended. A true community event for the people of Guildford. There will be music and fun for all the family from the bandstand whilst you enjoy the beautiful Castle Grounds.”

You can find out more information on Blooming Picnic, pledge support to the Guildford in Bloom crowdfunding appeal and download competition entry forms at www.guildfordinbloom.com or follow social media for updates.

The school competition is also underway and children across the borough will be designing and creating their gardens with the For King and Countryside theme, and keeping a journal, diary or scrapbook to record their progress. Entries for the Schools in Bloom Competition, sponsored by Edwins Garden Centre, need to be in by 21 May 2022 and judging will take place between 5 to 16 June 2023. Entry forms for this competition can also be downloaded from www.guildfordinbloom.com