Friendship stories

Find out about the friendships that have blossomed because of community gardening

Read your stories

We are spreading the joy of the relationships built through Britain in Bloom, RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood or other community gardening projects

Steve Brook, Bath in Bloom

“I would urge anyone interested to get involved. You can devote as much or as little time as you can spare. It all makes a big difference.”

Full article - “I would urge anyone interested to get involved. You can devote as much or as little time as you can spare. It all makes a big difference.”
Angela Hayler, The Wonky Garden

“The power of friendship can work to create a beautiful space full of laughter for all to enjoy.”

Full article - “The power of friendship can work to create a beautiful space full of laughter for all to enjoy.”
Anne Lythgoe, Chipping in Bloom

“Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world.”

Full article - “Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world.”

Clinton Bell, Bandstand Beds

“I felt very welcomed and valued by everyone right from my very first day and feel that I’ve made friends for life.”

Full article - “I felt very welcomed and valued by everyone right from my very first day and feel that I’ve made friends for life.”
Julia Smith, Halstead in Bloom

“I have been Secretary since the group’s inauguration in January 2000 and I am so proud of what the team has achieved.”

Full article - “I have been Secretary since the group’s inauguration in January 2000 and I am so proud of what the team has achieved.”
Kim Carsok, Wymondham in Bloom

“As the team grows so do the friendship groups, and I’m so glad that now every time I walk through town, I see people I recognise who stop for a friendly chat.”

Full article - “As the team grows so do the friendship groups, and I’m so glad that now every time I walk through town, I see people I recognise who stop for a friendly chat.”

Linda Houston, Tidy Randalstown

“Ruairi, you’re one in a million. We’re proud that you are our friend and fellow volunteer.”

Full article - “Ruairi, you’re one in a million. We’re proud that you are our friend and fellow volunteer.”
Martyn and Dylan, Wimborne Community Garden

“He (Dylan) has become a valued friend of us all at the community garden.”

Full article - “He (Dylan) has become a valued friend of us all at the community garden.”
Mike and Eileen, Acocks Green Village in Bloom

“Who’d have thought love would blossom while litter picking?”

Full article - “Who’d have thought love would blossom while litter picking?”

Monica Lamb, Friends of Castle Parks

“I have always been a keen gardener and have now found companionship and a new sense of purpose through gardening with other people.”

Full article - “I have always been a keen gardener and have now found companionship and a new sense of purpose through gardening with other people.”
Olive Clarke OBE, Cumbria in Bloom

“Olive loved Cumbria in Bloom. When Olive arrived at a Cumbria in Bloom event, she lit up the room and the occasion was complete.”

Full article - “Olive loved Cumbria in Bloom. When Olive arrived at a Cumbria in Bloom event, she lit up the room and the occasion was complete.”
Rae Beckwith, National Judge

“The work we see can be beyond measure and very often far more than we would expect.”

Full article - “The work we see can be beyond measure and very often far more than we would expect.”

Sarah Moulson, Norton in Hales

“I would encourage people to dip their toe in the water and join a gardening group as it is extremely rewarding.”

Full article - “I would encourage people to dip their toe in the water and join a gardening group as it is extremely rewarding.”
Rebecca Lund, Starbeck in Bloom

“Over the last three years, the group has gone from strength to strength, and we have recruited a number of new volunteers who have also become friends.”

Full article - “Over the last three years, the group has gone from strength to strength, and we have recruited a number of new volunteers who have also become friends.”
Sheila Greenwood, Todmorden in Bloom

“I have never felt more welcome. Our friendships grow through little acts of kindness, caring and generosity.”

Full article - “I have never felt more welcome. Our friendships grow through little acts of kindness, caring and generosity.”

Lesley Jelleyman, National Judge

“The magic of something so beautiful being created from elements from the soil, sun and rain… magic.”

Full article - “The magic of something so beautiful being created from elements from the soil, sun and rain… magic.”
Jenny Hearth, Lowestoft in Bloom

“Despite the challenges Covid threw at us all, we have come through as a great team in Walmer Road.”

Full article - “Despite the challenges Covid threw at us all, we have come through as a great team in Walmer Road.”
Margo Walker, Holland Garden Volunteers

“You can really feel the love in this garden.”

Full article - “You can really feel the love in this garden.”

Peter Todd, Green Space Gardens

“My curiosity resulted in an invitation to join the happy band of volunteers and there and then there was a purpose in my life.”

Full article - “My curiosity resulted in an invitation to join the happy band of volunteers and there and then there was a purpose in my life.”
Joan Hanif, Tin Pan Alley Gardens

“We’d say to anyone out there thinking of starting a community gardening project, give it a go.”

Full article - “We’d say to anyone out there thinking of starting a community gardening project, give it a go.”
Jean Lord, Whalley in Bloom

“She is a fabulous friend and wonderful addition to Whalley in Bloom, and I am delighted she crossed the street that day.”

Full article - “She is a fabulous friend and wonderful addition to Whalley in Bloom, and I am delighted she crossed the street that day.”

Lynn Smith, Civic Pride Rossendales

“It breaks down barriers we didn’t know were there. It builds bridges we didn’t know needed building and it creates friendships which enrich our lives.”

Full article - “It breaks down barriers we didn’t know were there. It builds bridges we didn’t know needed building and it creates friendships which enrich our lives.”
Henrike Yates, Kinnesswood in Bloom

“The group has made me feel that I have arrived, I belong, I have friends – and that this is my village.”

Full article - “The group has made me feel that I have arrived, I belong, I have friends – and that this is my village.”
Andrew Jackson, Durham in Bloom

“My life has been greatly enriched and enhanced by Bloom and for this, I will forever be eternally grateful. Here’s to the next 60 years!”

Full article - “My life has been greatly enriched and enhanced by Bloom and for this, I will forever be eternally grateful. Here’s to the next 60 years!”

Jill Mace and Barbara Spalding, Amersham in Bloom

“Without Bloom, our paths would not have crossed, and friendships would have been missed.

Full article - “Without Bloom, our paths would not have crossed, and friendships would have been missed.
Dawn Weller and Lesley Newland, Flower Lane

“This community gardening project has inspired people, brought joy to our neighbourhood and brought us closer together as friends and neighbours.”

Full article - “This community gardening project has inspired people, brought joy to our neighbourhood and brought us closer together as friends and neighbours.”
Frank Jones, Dumfries Adoptive Railway Gardeners

“Our motivation is seeing the happiness and the positive impact on wellbeing that the gardens bring to people.”

Full article - “Our motivation is seeing the happiness and the positive impact on wellbeing that the gardens bring to people.”

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The Wonky Garden

Meet the volunteers of The Wonky Garden in Halton, Cheshire. They share the benefits of community gardening and the amazing friendships that can blossom through growing together.

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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.

Friendship stories

Read your stories

Steve Brook, Bath in Bloom

Angela Hayler, The Wonky Garden

Anne Lythgoe, Chipping in Bloom

Clinton Bell, Bandstand Beds

Julia Smith, Halstead in Bloom

Kim Carsok, Wymondham in Bloom

Linda Houston, Tidy Randalstown

Martyn and Dylan, Wimborne Community Garden

Mike and Eileen, Acocks Green Village in Bloom

Monica Lamb, Friends of Castle Parks

Olive Clarke OBE, Cumbria in Bloom

Rae Beckwith, National Judge

Sarah Moulson, Norton in Hales

Rebecca Lund, Starbeck in Bloom

Sheila Greenwood, Todmorden in Bloom

Lesley Jelleyman, National Judge

Jenny Hearth, Lowestoft in Bloom

Margo Walker, Holland Garden Volunteers

Peter Todd, Green Space Gardens

Joan Hanif, Tin Pan Alley Gardens

Jean Lord, Whalley in Bloom

Lynn Smith, Civic Pride Rossendales

Henrike Yates, Kinnesswood in Bloom

Andrew Jackson, Durham in Bloom

Jill Mace and Barbara Spalding, Amersham in Bloom

Dawn Weller and Lesley Newland, Flower Lane

Frank Jones, Dumfries Adoptive Railway Gardeners

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