Celebrating greener spaces and growing something new

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Over the past two years, Havebury in Bloom showcased an incredible range of gardens, balconies and shared spaces. We saw colourful displays, creative designs and, most importantly, the pride residents take in their outdoor areas. This year, we wanted to do something a little different.

Sustainable Green Space Award

For 2026, we’re shining a spotlight on sustainability. Our new Sustainable Green Space Award is all about celebrating outdoor spaces that champion sustainability, support wildlife and highlight what you can do to make a difference to your environment. Whether it’s creating habitats for wildlife, creating your own compost, or growing your own food, this award is about recognising ideas that are practical, inspiring and easy for others to try at home. We know that not everyone has a large garden, which is why this award is open to both individual outdoor spaces (this includes gardens and balconies) and communal outdoor areas. One winner will be picked from individual spaces and one from communal areas and both will receive a £50 voucher.

Entries will be judged on the following:

  • Environmental impact (for example: water conservation, composting, self-watering planters)
  • Biodiversity and wildlife support (for example: pollinator plants, bird feeders, bug hotels, ponds)
  • Resourcefulness and sustainability (for example: reused materials, peat-free gardening, compost use)
  • Creativity and innovation (for example: use of small spaces, DIY solutions, creative planters or structures)
  • Inspiration and replicability (for example: budget friendly ideas, how simple or original something is)

If this is something you would like to get involved in click here to complete the registration form, and our Resident Voice team will be in touch. Entries will close Tuesday 21 July, and our panel of judges will be creating a shortlist. If you are shortlisted, we ask that you be available for our judges to attend your nominated space on Tuesday 28 July.

Tallest sunflower competition

Alongside this, we’re also opening our tallest sunflower competition which has proven to be very popular with our younger residents (and parents!) in previous years.

Open to all under 16s living in our homes, this is a chance to get growing and see just how tall your sunflower can get over the summer. From 26 May, you can collect free sunflower seeds and a tape measure from our office, or we can post them out to you. All you need to do is plant your seeds in your garden, care for your sunflower, and send us a photo of your final measurement by 11 August (we would love to see the young people involved in growing these sunflowers in the photo too!)

We will then visit the three tallest sunflowers on Thursday 13 August to confirm their measurements and take some photos. The winner will receive a £20 book voucher and an art box.

To confirm you would like to take part please click here to complete our registration form and to claim your free seeds and tape measure.

We can’t wait to see what you grow!

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