Competition launched to get borough’s alleys blooming

A 2017 alley way winner in Edenfield Road

Green-fingered residents are being encouraged to get gardening as the ‘Alleyways in Bloom’ competition returns for its 11^th year.

The competition asks residents, who have anti-burglary alleygates installed behind their properties, to come together with neighbours to improve their alleyway and enhance their neighbourhood.

In previous years residents have transformed rundown or vandalised alleyways by installing potted plants and floral decorations, creating communal areas for their whole street to enjoy.

All entries will receive a visit from the burglary reduction officer who will take photographs to be judged during July/August.

The winner will receive a £50 garden voucher and the runner up gets a £25 voucher.

Councillor Janet Emsley, Rochdale Borough Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture, said: “Alleygating helps to reduce burglary and antisocial behaviour, but they can be much more than that.

“They can create lovely green spaces for families and neighbours to enjoy together so I encourage everyone with an alleygate to join in and help make your local area a greener place.”

The competition is run by Rochdale Borough Council’s burglary reduction scheme, which aims to reduce the opportunity for burglary, antisocial behaviour, malicious fires and fly-tipping by installing lockable steel gates at both ends of back alleyways, which have experienced or are at risk of crime.

Residents interested in entering the competition should contact the council’s burglary reduction officer on 01706 924687 before Friday 6 July.