Rochdale prepares for national Britain in Bloom competition judging

The Friends of Norden Jubilee Park welcome the RHS North West In Bloom judges earlier this month, which forms part of the national judging route

After winning a RHS North West in Bloom 2017 gold award, Rochdale Township was nominated to go forward as the Small City category representative for the main Britain in Bloom competition, and on Thursday judges will be touring the town for the national contest.

The Township In Bloom committee has been busy preparing for the occasion, trimming, mowing, weeding and tidying around the town.

The judges will be starting at Nutters Restaurant before being guided around Rochdale's most vibrant floral locations, including Norden Jubilee Park, Rochdale AFC Wonderwall, Springhill Hospice, Castleton Railway Station, Castleton War Memorial, The Growth Project Rochdale, The Flying Horse Hotel, Rochdale Memorial Gardens and the recent instalment of the World War One garden outside the historic Town Hall.

Paul Ellison, of the committee, said: “It's Rochdale's first time in the nationals, so realistically a silver gilt would be excellent, as there is some stiff competition throughout the UK.

“The whole committee is looking forward to extending our greetings to the judges and showing them around the town, which we will be presenting in the best way it can.

“So much hard work has gone in from all the community groups and volunteers and it’s just amazing to see this recognised by making the nationals.”

Roy Down, vice chairman of Rochdale in Bloom, said: “I think this year's effort from all the volunteers and Environmental Management teams has been unsurpassed. Everyone has stepped up, ready for National judging day.

“Despite the hot, dry weather, the level of maintenance on baskets, planters, borders, parks and allotments has been fantastic.

“We hope we do Rochdale and the North West proud on judging day. Everyone involved has given 100%. A special thank you goes to my fellow In Bloom team members - their ongoing enthusiasm is amazing."

Now in its 54th year, the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom is one of the most effective, and longest running, environmental competitions in the UK, which pits rural villages, urban corners and city centres against one another across a range of criteria that includes horticultural know-how, community engagement, efforts to bolster biodiversity and climate change adaptation.

The finalists’ final scores will be announced at an awards ceremony in Belfast on 19 October.