Growing skills, friendships and community spirit
The sun shone once again for this year’s Botton in Bloom – our much-loved annual celebration of all things gardening. Across Botton Village, allotments and gardens were bursting into life, with vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits proudly displayed alongside delicious home-made food and drink.
In the days leading up to the event, people from across the community were busy harvesting crops, baking, and preparing dishes that showcased their field-to-fork skills. From spicy kale and courgette loaf to home-grown vegetable chilli and fresh pesto made with Botton cheese, the competition was fierce but friendly. Over 70 certificates and awards were handed out, celebrating everything from the tallest sunflower to the tastiest tomato.
Mary, one of Botton’s poets, opened the day with a heartfelt poem about the beauty of the village in bloom, and members of the Croft community joined us to present prizes. Larchfield, another of our Yorkshire communities, also entered and took home wins — including Most Beautiful Flower for their striking nasturtium entry.
Field-to-Fork Excellence
The Martin House team shone brightly again this year, working together to create prize-winning dishes such as scones with strawberries and cream, courgette loaf, spicy kale, and potato salad. Their teamwork in both the garden and kitchen won them multiple awards.
Other food and drink highlights included:
- Nick and Rachid’s home-grown vegetable chilli – First Prize for Tastiest Savoury Dish
- Max from Falcon – Second Prize for his pepperoni pizza made with his own tomatoes, onions, and chillies
- Hall South – Second Prize for Pesto with a fiery twist
- Luke from the Social Garden team – a home-grown chilli and tomato soup with a real kick
- Kathryn and Chris from Thomas Weihs House – award-winning pesto made with Botton-grown basil and Botton cheese
Catherine from New Botton Farm won Tastiest Drink with her refreshing lemon balm and lemon verbena tea, while Stephanie and Luke shared the prize for Sweetest Raspberry. Jane from Linden scooped Straightest Cucumber, and Hall South’s carrot creation won Funniest-Looking Vegetable.
Gardening Awards
As well as food and drink, awards celebrated beautiful and productive gardens across the community:
- Smartest Garden – New Botton Farm, Old Botton Farm, Hall South, Thomas Weihs House, Martin House, and Falcon House
- Best Sensory Garden – First Prize to Redwing
- Best Wildlife Garden – First Prize to Redwing
- Most Productive Garden – judged by our Head Grower, Karen, with strong contenders from the Social Garden team
Special mentions included Jane from Linden, who won an award for her stunning flower garden and Jane from Martin House whose sunflower with 13 blooms — a Botton record! Ros received the title of Compost Queen alongside recognition for her excellent all-round gardening.
Special Awards and Recognitions
Botton in Bloom 2025 also paid tribute to the late Allan Hobson, a valued member of the community, keen gardener, recycler, and ambassador for Botton Village. In his honour, we introduced the Allan Hobson Upcycling Award, judged by Botton’s Wildlife Group. The winners were:
- Martin House – for their upcycled greenhouse made from recycled bottles, along with Nick’s bird boxes and bug houses
- Redwing – special mention for their upcycled pallet bench
Other special recognitions included:
- Andrew from Falcon House – award for caring for the garden’s chickens
- Mark – Can-Do Attitude Award for his commitment to checking on his allotment each morning
- Sam – prize for his expert mowing and contributions to the autumn leaf pile
- Julie from Old Botton Farm – Lifetime Contribution Award for many years dedicated to Botton’s gardens
Even the trophies and prizes reflected the creativity of the event, with the Social Garden team making and upcycling items such as plant pot trophies and windchimes. Catherine, who painted the Crunchiest Carrot trophy, ended up winning it herself!
Part of our Nature-Based Therapies and Skills Programme
Botton in Bloom is more than a competition — it’s a celebration of our Nature-based Therapies and Skills programme at Camphill Village Trust. This programme offers nature-inspired activities such as growing, horticulture, and garden-based arts and crafts, giving people the opportunity to:
- Develop practical skills they can take pride in
- Contribute to something meaningful in their community
- Build social connections and friendships
- Experience the therapeutic benefits of working outdoors
As Esther from the Social Garden team said:
“I loved how we all got together with a big group. I think we should do more of that in the community. And I liked how we got strawberries and cream too.”
Julie summed it up perfectly:
“I think it was really the best Botton in Bloom we’ve had. It was really great.”
About Camphill Village Trust
Camphill Village Trust is a national charity supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health problems to live a life of opportunity. We create inclusive communities where people can live, learn, and work with others, building confidence, friendships, and independence.
Botton Village is just one of our communities across England — from Yorkshire and Gloucestershire to Hertfordshire and the West Midlands — where people take part in meaningful activities, connect with nature, and develop new skills through projects like Botton in Bloom.
Through shared living, supported work, and creative programmes, we ensure that everyone we support has the chance to thrive and make a valued contribution to their community.
Here’s to another year of gardening, growing, and coming together as a community.
