Crown Oil Arena ‘Wonder Wall’ In Bloom entry judged

Dale's Frances Fielding (centre) with Rochdale In Bloom chairman Nigel Morrell (far left), vice chairman Roy Down (second from right) and In Bloom judges

Volunteers of all ages helped Rochdale AFC and Rochdale Hornets transform the area of land at the back of the Crown Oil Arena’s Sandy Lane into the impressive ‘Wonder Wall’.

The project was entered into the North West In Bloom competition, as part of the Rochdale Township entry, and the judges visited the Crown Oil Arena on Tuesday (1 August) to take a look at it.

Also judged in its own right as a community project, the ‘Wonder Wall’ is a real first for Rochdale, with no other EFL/rugby club being represented in the 2017 In Bloom competition.

Roy Down, Rochdale In Bloom vice chairman, who helped with the project at the Crown Oil Arena, was on hand to show the judges around the In Bloom route.

He commented: “There are 16 entries in total in the Township entry, which the ‘Wonder Wall’ is part of. The entries vary from allotments to schools, to businesses and community groups, and, of course, two professional sports clubs.

“I’m delighted that Rochdale Football Club and Rochdale Hornets are involved this year – the ‘Wonder Wall’ is a great addition to our entry.”

Frances Fielding, Dale sales and marketing manager, added: “I, on behalf of Adam Bates (Rochdale Hornets Chief Executive) and Rochdale Football Club, would again like to thank everyone who gave up their time to make this happen.

“Special thanks, also, must go to Gordon Rigg Garden Centre which donated over £1,000 of plants, and Green Cloud IT, which paid for £500 worth of top soil to get the project up and running.

“The transformation has been incredible and we’ve been able to create an eye-catching and attractive feature on a piece of land which was once over grown with weeds.

“We’re extremely proud to be part of such a fantastic community project and we’re delighted to be involved in this year’s township entry.”

North West in Bloom is the voluntary regional organisation that administers the Britain in Bloom competition in Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, one of the 18 regions comprising Britain in Bloom.

Since 1964, the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom is one of the most effective, and longest running environmental competitions in the UK, with communities demonstrating their ability to create and maintain attractive environments that benefit all.

From the mill towns of Lancashire to the picturesque villages of both Cheshire and the Lancashire coast, every city, town, urban community and village is eligible to enter. The aim of the competition is to encourage the improvement of our surroundings through the imaginative use of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscaping. It also aims to achieve a litter free and sustainable environment.

Results will be announced in October.