Double delight for blooming Norden

Date published: 20 October 2022

The efforts of Norden volunteers and communities have been recognised a second time this week by RHS North West In Bloom, after picking up seven accolades at the North West In Bloom Awards.

The regional North West in Bloom competition consists of two judging days in the summer ahead of an autumn awards ceremony.

The first day is a guided tour taking in areas of interest around Rochdale; the second allows for visits to community-based projects that include local schools, allotments, health and well-being projects and conservation areas.

Earlier this week, Norden In Bloom scored a clean sweep of top marks in the community-led It’s Your Neighbourhood accolades, which is also part of the North West In Bloom awards.

Today, Thursday (20 October), the village scored a second gold at the prestigious awards, following on from last year’s achievements as best newcomer.
 

Read more: Best newcomer Norden lands gold in very first standalone entry into North West in Bloom competitionPublished: 05 November 2021

Entering in the Best Large Village category, the judge was taken on a tour including the rich heritage of Ashworth Valley and St James Church to the wonderful Taylor Park, where he was greeted with cheers and smiles from the children at Fisherfield Childcare, who had been busy painting floral pictures to display.

He was impressed by the village centre: the rockery, cenotaph and planters, but, perhaps more than anything, the village’s strong sense of community, with individual efforts from villagers underpinning community involvement by groups such as the Bowling Club, Moss Row Allotments and the Women's Royal Voluntary Service.

After visiting the ever-popular Jubilee Park – which won yet another gold in the pocket park category, the day finished off with a visit to Birtle Brook Village and Pavilion Bistro.

New entries for 2022, Birtle Brook Village and Pavilion won five awards between them, including two gold awards, best new landscape (Birtle Brook Village), best large accommodation (Birtle Brook Village) and best commercial (Pavilion).
 

Read more: Clean sweep of top awards for Norden In BloomPublished: 18 October 2022

Paul Ellison, chairman of Norden in Bloom, said he was delighted.

He said: "I'm blown away with the extreme success for a second year for Norden in Bloom. Once again, we have done the impossible and gone from strength to strength in making Norden In Bloom a heavyweight in the North West In Bloom RHS competition.

"I would like to thank our sponsors H Bell and Sons, Amber Pets, Owd Betts, Norden Co-op, and a special thanks to Rochdale Borough Council's Environmental Management, for their overwhelming and continuing support to Norden In Bloom. 

"Without them, our accolades wouldn't be possible."

Louise Scott, of sponsor H Bell and Sons, said: “H Bell and Sons is very proud to partner with Norden village in its successful gold award. Seeing the wider community of all ages and all backgrounds come together throughout the year to culminate in this amazing success, long may it continue.”

Brent Miller Junior, of Pinnacle Living (Birtle Brook Village and Pavilion), said: “It’s a pleasure to be working alongside Norden in Bloom this year. It’s a credit to Paul and his team for what they are doing for our community. Sustainability is always at the forefront of our minds, and we strive to continually improve this, year on year.

“We are honoured to have received these awards today for both our restaurant and retirement village. I would like to say a big thank you to all of my staff at Pinnacle Living for all of their hard work put into our new development over the years.”

Norden in Bloom is sponsored by H Bell and Sons, Amber Pets and Norden Co-op and is supported by Rochdale Borough Council’s Environmental Management, local businesses and volunteers.