Haywards Heath’s gardeners celebrated at 2026 In Bloom Awards

Haywards Heath’s gardening enthusiasts have been putting their green fingers to work, helping to brighten the town through their carefully tended gardens, productive allotments and welcoming communal spaces.

The 2026 Best Kept Garden & Allotment competition opened in June, inviting residents, allotment holders, businesses and community organisations to showcase their outdoor spaces. Following judging over the summer, we are now pleased to announce this year’s winners.

Organised by the Haywards Heath In Bloom Committee, which operates under the oversight of Haywards Heath Town Council, the annual competition celebrates the effort and dedication that residents, businesses and community groups invest in enhancing the town’s green spaces.

Congratulations to the 2026 winners:

• Best Kept Front Garden: Julie Cox & Mark Rayner

• Vale Road Allotment: Federico Reyes

• Oathall Avenue Allotment: Chris Jenkins and Lindsay Willmott (Joint Winners)

• America Lane Allotment: Alburd Damane

• Summerhill Lane Allotment: David Sales

• Overall Allotment Winner: Federico Reyes

• Best Allotment Newcomer: Chris Jenkins

• Best Business Frontage: St Francis Bowls Club

• Best Communal Garden: Care UK Martlet Manor

A Special Certificate of Recognition was also presented to Neal Strutt in appreciation of his continued involvement and support of the America Lane allotments.

The winners were invited to a celebratory tea party at Haywards Heath Town Hall held on 25th October, providing an opportunity to recognise their achievements and bring the gardening community together. Sponsored by Orchards Shopping Centre, the event celebrated the positive contribution that residents, businesses and community organisations make to the town through their care and enthusiasm for gardening. Winners were presented with a certificate and gift voucher, which were kindly sponsored by Mike Oliver Associates.

This year’s tea party was an especially memorable occasion, following Haywards Heath’s Gold award successes in the South and South East in Bloom competition. The achievements of the many residents, allotment holders, businesses and community groups who took part in the town’s own In Bloom competition perfectly complement these regional accolades, demonstrating the pride, dedication and community spirit that make Haywards Heath truly Blooming Lovely.

Cllr Sandy Ellis, Chair of the In Bloom Committee, comments: “It’s always a lovely turnout for the gardening awards, and it’s such a great way to say thank you to the winners who contribute so much to keep our town so beautifully green. It was an extremely challenging this year due to the weather, but nevertheless the gardeners still produced some amazing results.

The Haywards Heath In Bloom committee would like to thank all the gardeners, allotment holders, businesses and volunteer groups who strive to make Haywards Heath such a great place to live. Thank you also to the Town Council Staff for the wonderful hospitality and the administration provided to hold this event.”

Haywards Heath In Bloom is a volunteer-led committee passionate about gardening, enhancing local green spaces and promoting a greener town. The committee thanks everyone who entered this year’s competition and all those who help make Haywards Heath a more beautiful place throughout the year.

If you enjoy gardening and would like to support the committee’s work, new members are always welcome to join Haywards Heath In Bloom.

Further information about Haywards Heath In Bloom and future competitions will be available on the Town Council’s website: www.haywardsheath.gov.uk/haywards-heath-in-bloom