Middleton in Bloom plan to makeover "dull and lifeless" area in town centre

A “dull and lifeless” area in Middleton town centre could become a vibrant, colourful area, thanks to Middleton in Bloom.

The community group has been working in the town centre as part of the ‘greening the grey’ section of the Royal Horticultural Society’s North West In Bloom annual competition, which hopes to transform nondescript grey areas with more greenery.

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 the national Britain in Bloom contest. It promotes imaginative planting schemes, landscaping, conservation and recycling projects, and clean-up projects for litter and graffiti.

After identifying a “dull and lifeless” area outside Natwest bank, Middleton in Bloom aspires to complement the existing saddle planters and hanging baskets installed by the council with two seven-tiered planters.

The project will cost around £2,500 to complete – including purchase of the planters, compost, plants and maintenance – so the group has set up a fundraiser for any town residents wishing to play a part in brightening up the area.

Middleton In Bloom Secretary Keeley O’Mara said: “We feel that by adding additional colour to this area of the centre it will benefit residents of Middleton and encourage visitors to the town. This will be beneficial to Middleton’s local businesses and enhance the community spirit. It would mean so much to us if we can achieve this.”

 

 

North West In Bloom judges visited Middleton on 21 July, where they were taken around a stellar route including Jubilee Park, Boarshaw Cemetery, the Storage World Honey Pot Bed and ‘Buggage’ World Hotel, Truffet Park, Middleton Memorial Gardens, Rhodes Lodges and the HOPE Middleton (Helping Others Progress & Evolve) charity.

In 2019, Middleton and the other local township groups – Rochdale, Heywood, Pennines – all scooped gold awards for their impressive horticultural displays. Judges award points based on three main criteria: horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.
 

Read more: Middleton In Bloom: golden sweep of awards at prestigious horticulture awardsPublished: 01 November 2019

No competition took place in 2020, with all In Bloom and community-led It’s Your Neighbourhood entries deferred until 2021.

To donate towards the project, please visit:

• www.gofundme.com/f/putting-the-bloom-back-into-middleton