Community gardening group celebrates its volunteers

Find out how a community gardening group in Kent recognises volunteers for their time and hard work

Volunteers at the celebration day event in Royal Tunbridge Wells

Making volunteers feel appreciated

As part of National Volunteers’ Week, Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom held its annual event to thank volunteers involved in green projects across the borough. This year’s celebrations included a barbeque, quiz, wildlife walk and educational talks on horticulture, nature conservation and sustainability – there was something for everyone.

“This is an opportunity to meet with others in my local area, but it also makes me feel appreciated as a volunteer within the community. There’s an educational aspect, which is interesting too, along with the camaraderie of belonging to a group,” explained Hayley Warr, Monday Volunteer at the town’s Dunorlan Park.
Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom volunteer waters some plants

Celebrating the work volunteers do

Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom is a community gardening group, which has more than 100 volunteers across different groups and sites, and has been working to grow more sustainably.

Volunteers have been replacing seasonal bedding with sustainable, drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly planting such as perennial verbena, lavender, sedum, rudbeckia, oregano, eryngium, achillea and hardy geranium. The group source all plant material from local nurseries, supporting the local economy and reducing delivery miles. They also aim to be chemical-free.

“Volunteers provide invaluable help managing our green spaces for both people and wildlife, so it seems fitting to recognise this with a day of celebrations,” commented Steph Dowling, Kent High Weald Partnership Officer, who together with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, organise this event.
An opportunity for volunteers to relax

Why volunteer?

Chris Hughes, a volunteer from Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom, explained why he gives his time: “I’ve been volunteering for the last 15 years; for me, it's about giving something back to my local community. It’s provided me with the opportunity to learn about my local green spaces, and acquire new skills. Not to mention, I’ve met a whole host of people that I would never have met otherwise. It gives me a real sense of accomplishment.”

For Hayley Warr it’s about the people and places: “I enjoy meeting other volunteers, learning from them, especially about plants and trees. It’s a fun experience, while at the same time helping to improve green spaces that I have used with my family for many years.”
Preparing to plant

More sustainable gardeners

“This event captures the sense of community collaboration, celebrating the different people and groups that work together, and their efforts to garden more sustainably. We’re delighted that Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom is taking part in the 2023 Britain in Bloom UK Finals, and hope that their activities will inspire other community gardening groups to do the same, for the benefit of their local communities and environment,” commented Pak Ling Wan, RHS Community Programme Manager.

Highlights from this year’s event included a talk about peat-free gardening by Simon Sutcliffe from How Green Nursery and a nature walk through Grosvenor and Hilbert Park.
Volunteers enjoyed a barbeque as part of their celebratory day

Connect with your local community

Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom is one of the 44 groups taking part in this year’s Britain in Bloom UK Finals. This summer, pairs of judges will visit all groups. The results of the judging will be revealed at an awards ceremony in October.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, community gardening is a great way to connect with others and improve the place where you live. To find out more visit our community gardening pages, sign up to the communities newsletter or email [email protected]. Have you been inspired to host your own volunteers’ celebration event or perhaps you already do? Please get in touch.

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.