COUNCIL NEWS: Blooming Marvellous: Havering’s gardeners celebrate success
Green-fingered residents have once again shown off their gardening talents as part of this year’s Havering in Bloom competition.
From beautiful back gardens and colourful hanging baskets to impressive communal spaces and towering sunflowers, residents, schools and community groups from across the Borough have helped make Havering bloom in 2026.
The finalists and winners gathered at a ceremony on Friday 18 September at Havering Town Hall, in Romford.
They were presented with their certificates and gift card prizes for B&Q, by the Mayor of Havering, Councillor Maggie Themistocli.
The gift cards were kindly donated by this year’s sponsors, Wates, Mears, SureServe, Equans, AJS, and Cube.
The annual competition celebrates the hard work, creativity and community spirit of local gardeners, with prizes awarded across six categories.
This year’s tallest sunflower competition proved particularly close, with just one inch separating the top two.
John Prentice, of Brentwood Road, Romford, took first place with an impressive sunflower measuring 12ft 2in, narrowly beating previous winner Eric Willson’s 12ft 1in entry.
Lily Crosby – Osborne Road, Hornchurch
Heather Steel – Cowper Road, Rainham
John Fowler – Stafford Avenue, Hornchurch
Eric Willson – Ashdown Walk, Romford
Mr and Mrs Berkley Bathust – Wood Lane, Hornchurch
Marie Wilkinson – Marks Roads, Romford
Janet Triggs – Upminster Windmill
Carol Gibson – Evelyn Sharp House
Sue Cotterill and Bernard Murphy – Abbs Cross Lane
Linda Bendelow – Newbury Gardens, Upminster
Carol and Andrew Roberts – Lodge Lane, Hornchurch
Leonard Watkinson – Bancroft Chase, Hornchurch
Roxanne Snook – Branfil Primary School
Tammy Ellis – Harrow Lodge Primary School
John Prentice – Brentwood Road, Romford – 12ft 2in
Eric Willson – Ashdown Walk, Romford – 12ft 1in
Adam Parkes – Mawney Road, Romford – 11ft 6.2in
Councillor Maggie Themistocli, Mayor of Havering, said:
“Havering in Bloom is a wonderful celebration of the pride people take in their homes, schools and communities.
“I have been so impressed by the creativity, care and dedication shown by this year’s entrants.
“Whether it is a beautiful hanging basket, a much-loved communal garden or a sunflower reaching more than 12 feet into the air, every entry has played a part in making our Borough a brighter and more colourful place.
“A huge congratulations to all our winners and everyone who took part this year.
“Thank you for helping Havering continue to bloom.”
The competition continues a long-running tradition of recognising the Borough’s gardening talent.
Take a look at the winning entries
Published: 24 September 2026
.
Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!
We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.
Discover more from The Havering Daily
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
