Rochdale scoops gold at North West in Bloom

Rochdale In Bloom’s entry in the RHS North West in Bloom 2018 competition won a gold award for the Large Town/Small City category, the highest individual award available.

The accolade is the culmination of a year of work which has been undertaken by many local people, groups and projects from right across Rochdale with the support of Rochdale Council and the Environmental Management team.

Other award winners

• Gold for Springhill Hospice (Hospice category)
• Gold for Zen Internet (Commercial category)
• Gold for The Flying Horse Hotel (Small accommodation)
• Gold for Nutters Restaurant (Small accommodation, plus overall category winner)
• Gold for Norden Jubilee Park (Pocket Park, plus overall national certificate )
• Silver Gilt for Castleton Station
• Community Housing award – Rochdale Boroughwide Housing
• Overcoming Adversity
• Best Feature in a Public Place – Rochdale pop-up memorial garden
• North West in Bloom award for Outstanding Contribution certificate – Roy Down, Rochdale in Bloom chairman

Following the awards ceremony, chairman Roy Down said: “The results from this year's North West in Bloom, have been absolutely fantastic. The awards have been made possible because of the huge commitment in volunteer hours and council staff putting in an amazing effort for the regional competition. The North West awards are the icing on the cake.

“This year has been unique for Rochdale in Bloom because of the North West and Britain in Bloom competitions. Two competitions, two judging days, within a month of each other. It is just incredible. To come away with two top awards is amazing. It speaks volumes for the volunteers, community groups and council workers. This is on top of the extra judging of all our community projects in the 'It's Your Neighbourhood' category.”

“Also, I was shocked and delighted to receive a discretionary award for outstanding contribution to North West in Bloom, the day couldn’t get any better.”

“I would like to thank all the councillors who have supported us, sponsors who have backed us so generously and the Rochdale public, whose positive comments about Rochdale In Bloom, have made the effort all worthwhile.”

 

 

Paul Ellison, Rochdale in Bloom vice chairman, said: “The RHS judges were overwhelmed by the fitting tribute to Castleton and loved the WW1 pop up garden, and it was an unbelievable result to win ‘the best feature in a public space’, as well as all our other great features. This year has been bigger and better due to the massive sponsorship support from Marshalls PLC, where we have reached new heights, especially showcasing this year at the RHS Tatton Park flower show.

“Once again in 2018, the magnificent efforts of our volunteers have been matched by the input from sponsors, supporters and Rochdale Council. The whole in bloom effort is based around a great relationship with environmental management and the community groups. The efforts are consistently amazing.

“A big well done to everyone, what a set of terrific results! Our thanks must go to the council’s environmental management team, especially Ian Trickett, Tracy Hibbert and Jamie White. The council gardeners have also worked especially hard to make sure that the municipal areas of the route have been to a very high standard.

“However, once again, the stars of the show have definitely been our community groups and volunteers.”