Heywood In Bloom: golden sweep at prestigious RHS North West in Bloom awards

Date published: 04 November 2019

Heywood In Bloom’s entry in the RHS North West in Bloom 2019 regional competition won a gold award for the Large Town/Small City category, the highest individual award available.

Announced on Friday (1 November), the clean sweep of gold accolades is a magnificent achievement for Heywood, the culmination of a year of work which has been undertaken by many local people, groups and projects.

Other award winners

• Gold for Heywood town centre
• Gold for Heywood Industrial Park
• Gold for Crown Oil Ltd
• Gold for Goldricks Window Blinds
• Gold for Queen’s Park
• Gold for Phoenix Brewery
• Gold for Hopwood Park
• Gold for TOPS Business Centre
• Gold for St Luke’s C of E Primary School
• Community Champion Award – John Carney (Heywood in Bloom’s vice chair)
• National Certificate of Distinction for Parks – Hopwood Park

Ellen Yates, chair of Heywood In Bloom, said: “It makes everything worthwhile when we win these top awards because so many people put the effort in. They love what they do, and they are very passionate about it.

“It is lovely to see them rewarded for their hard work; knowing this comes from the Royal Horticultural Society makes it extra special.”

Sandra Trickett, chair of the Friends of Hopwood Park, added: “Our awards are a massive achievement and a credit to our community and many volunteers who have helped over the years to get us this result.

“Thank you and well done to everyone who has been involved and have shared the vision of improving 'Hopwood Rec' to become Hopwood Park for all the community to enjoy.”

The regional North West in Bloom competition consists of two judging days. The first is a guided tour taking in areas of interest around Heywood; the second allows for visits to community-based projects that include local schools, allotments, health and well-being projects and conservation areas.

Announced on Wednesday (30 October), the ‘It's Your Neighbourhood’ results ranged from level two ‘Improving’ to the maximum level five ‘Outstanding’.

It’s Your Neighbourhood awards

Level five ‘Outstanding’

• Bridgewood Lodge sheltered housing
• Cherwell Wellbeing Centre

Level four ‘Thriving’

• Roeacre sheltered housing
• Heywood fire station
• Springbank Care Home
• Railway station

Level three ‘Advancing’

• Millfield Care Home
• Bamford Road allotments
• Heywood Cricket Club
• Sandon House

Level two ‘Improving’

• Heywood Blind Centre

North West in Bloom, run by the RHS, has been celebrating the success of communities since 1964 and aims to encourage local communities to improve and care for their local environment. They promote imaginative planting schemes, landscaping, conservation and recycling projects, and clean-up projects for litter and graffiti.

Judges award points based on three main criteria: horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.