Families flocked to theatre event on Vine Gardens for Britain in Bloom

Published: 06 May 2025

Around 200 people came to the rock painting workshop and children's theatre event in a marquee on the Vine Gardens on Sunday [May 4] for Sevenoaks’ Britain in Bloom entry.

The events echoed the theme of 'Celebrating Bugs' which Sevenoaks has chosen for its entry as UK finalist in the Town Centre category. Children and their parents enjoyed painting around 150 rocks with colourful insects, bugs, bees and butterflies before watching the free theatre show 'Professor Slug's House of Bugs' by Giles Shenton Productions - with lots of audience participation!

Mayor of Sevenoaks Cllr Libby Ancrum chatted to families and joined in the rock painting.

The painted rocks will now be displayed in the gardens and open spaces in the town centre. Children can enjoy spotting their rocks, and then can collect them after the judging.

After winning three gold awards last year in South & South East in Bloom for the Vine, Upper High Street Gardens and Town Centre, plus the Vine Park being awarded Best in Class, Sevenoaks was picked to be a national finalist in RHS Britain in Bloom 2025. Sevenoaks last qualified for Britain in Bloom in 2022 when it won the Silver Gilt award.

Preparations are ongoing for the judging which will take place in August, with another judging day for South and South East in Bloom in June/July. The theme of Celebrating Bugs includes planting for pollinators, edible gardening and primary colours of blue and purple.

Gardening volunteers will be helping to water planters around the town, weed and tidy up for the judging. Crafters are knitting bees, bugs and butterflies to display among the flowers and school art departments are creating outdoor insect sculptures to add interest.

Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact osl@sevenoakstown.gov.uk or call the council on 01732 459953. Visit the Britain in Bloom webpage on this website for more information and pictures.