Haywards Heath has enjoyed another successful year in bloom, picking up multiple accolades at the South & South East in Bloom Awards 2026, including Category Winner for the Large Town Award.
The awards celebrate the work being carried out by communities across the region to improve their local environment, from beautifully maintained public spaces and community gardens to projects that encourage biodiversity and bring residents together.
Haywards Heath received Gold for the Large Town Award, alongside Category Winner, which recognises the combined efforts of the many people who help make the town a greener, more welcoming place throughout the year. From volunteers and community groups to Town Council staff and residents, the achievements reflect a shared commitment to caring for the town and its green spaces.
Western Road Cemetery was also recognised with Gold, as well as being named the Category Winner in the Large Cemetery/Crematorium of the Year category. Alongside its role as an important place of remembrance, the cemetery provides valuable green space and a habitat for wildlife, with ongoing work helping to maintain its character and biodiversity.
Muster Green received Gold in the Small Park category, recognising the care and attention given to this much-loved central green space.
Adding to this year’s success, Friends of Ashenground and Bolnore Woods received an Outstanding award in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ category, as well as Gold and Category Winner in the Biodiversity Award. Congratulations to all the volunteers involved for their continued hard work and dedication in caring for this much-loved local woodland.
The awards also brought a special individual honour for Sylvia Harris of Haywards Heath in Bloom, who received a Community Champion Award for her dedication to community and environmental projects across the town. Sylvia has played an active role in initiatives including the Edible Community Garden and the New Friends of Scrase Valley Orchard, helping to create opportunities for people to get involved in growing, gardening and caring for local green spaces.
Cllr Sandy Ellis, Chair of Haywards Heath In Bloom, was delighted to hear the results. She said:
“What a remarkable achievement to reach such high standards of horticultural excellence, environmental responsibility and community participation. We are so lucky in Haywards Heath to have such a fantastic gardening community, whose hard work and dedication we were proud to showcase to the judges.
“We are also very fortunate to have our own wonderful grounds staff and a fantastic committee of volunteers, whose efforts throughout the year have been invaluable. A huge thank you also goes to the Haywards Heath Town Council staff who have supported us with all the administration behind the scenes.
“It’s been a blooming wonderful year, and I’m absolutely delighted that everyone’s hard work and commitment has been recognised at the highest level.”
Haywards Heath in Bloom is a volunteer-led committee that works throughout the year to support gardening, biodiversity and environmental projects across the town. The group welcomes new members who would like to get involved and play a part in making a difference locally.
To find out more about Haywards Heath in Bloom and how you can get involved, visit the website.
By Kelly Lewis
Image credit: Ciaran McCrickard Photography.
