Wight In Bloom ‘On Track’ For 2025 With New Theme And New Sponsor

The Isle of Wight’s gardening competition Wight In Bloom is back for 2025, with a new theme and a new sponsor to coincide with a national anniversary.

Railway 200 is a celebration of 200 years of the birth of the modern railway, showcasing the role of rail in shaping Britain and the world and this year, Wight in Bloom is looking for green fingered Islanders to think railways.

Wight In Bloom is encouraging us to let our imagination run wild and find creative ways to get the Railway 200 theme into our gardens, perhaps echoing British Rail colours in a flower scheme or including a train themed planter.

Island Line has been confirmed as the title sponsor.

Mark Dunn, General Manager at Island Line said:

"In the year when we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, Island Line is delighted to be the new sponsor of Wight in Bloom.

“The relationship between the railway and the communities it serves has always been very important and we're looking forward to seeing how those communities accept the challenge of reflecting the railway and Railway 200 in their gardens"

Organised by Visit Isle of Wight, Wight In Bloom is looking for entries to 11 categories, ranging from Best Small Front Garden to Best Large Tourist Attraction Garden, Pride of Place Floral Project and Best Climate Resilient Garden.

The overall winner is presented with the Peggy Jarman Trophy, named after former Wight In Bloom advocate Peggy, and recognises the best of the best in the floral awards.

Last year, Farringford Estate lifted the Peggy Jarman Trophy, and the popular Freshwater Bay attraction went on to win Gold in the South and South East in Bloom Awards.

Will Myles, MD at Visit Isle of Wight said:

“Visit Isle of Wight is once again delighted to be able to put this competition on and to encourage Islanders to show off their green fingered talents – and in doing so, help the Isle of Wight look even more stunning to the millions of visitors we welcome each year.

“We are especially grateful to Island Line for supporting Wight In Bloom in this special year of Railway 200.

“Thanks also go to Southern Vectis for being our certificate partner.”

Entry to the competition is open from now until 31 May, with judging taking place between 1-27 June and culminating in the awards ceremony, appropriately held at the Isle of Wight of Wight Steam Railway in Havenstreet on 18 July.

Wight In Bloom entry forms are available from garden centres across the Island, or gardeners can enter online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WIB25