Silver gilt for Whitworth in Bloom

The Whitworth in Bloom volunteers have been presented with a Silver Gilt Award by the North West in Bloom judges who visited the town in July.

A Silver Gilt is a significant step up from their Silver Award given for their first entry in 2019, and the volunteers are said to be “delighted” with the result.
 

Read more: Whitworth host North West judges for village's first ever ‘In Bloom’Published: 10 August 2019

 

Read more: Whitworth enters North West in Bloom contestPublished: 22 June 2019

Whitworth in Bloom is a community-based, volunteer-led organisation which aims to improve the sense of civic pride through imaginative planting whilst encouraging recycling and sustainability projects and eliminating eyesores that blight our streets such as litter, graffiti and vandalism.

The group expanded on the green areas they had previously established by – amongst other ventures – renovating Healey Corner, taking on board diversity by building a 'Beasties’ BnB' and making the planters outside the Fudge Factory so much more colourful.

Whitworth Town Clerk, Melanie Hearn said: "The volunteers kick-started their initiative with serious litter-picking in March which has been continued as a daily activity by several members of the community.

"Plans and ideas for formal and more informal planting soon followed with individuals and small groups taking the initiative for various areas within the four-mile length of the town.

“All their hard work has paid off with this well-deserved accolade."

The regional North West in Bloom competition consists of two judging days and forms part of the larger Britain in Bloon contest by the Royal Horticultural Society. The first is a guided tour taking in areas of interest; the second allows for visits to community-based projects that include local schools, allotments, health and well-being projects and conservation areas.

There was no contest last year due to Covid-19, with all entrants being put forward for the 2021 accolades.