Heywood In Bloom picks up 19 awards at North West In Bloom awards

Date published: 22 October 2022

Heywood In Bloom has picked up 19 awards this week – including a gold medal for the town centre – at the North West In Bloom awards.

Heywood collected a gold medal for ‘town centre’, with the Heywood in Bloom group taking gold for ‘large town’ and the Friends of Queen’s Park taking home the gold for best ‘large park’ on Thursday (20 October).

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

The judges were impressed by the centre of Heywood, including the memorial gardens, the meticulously maintained Queen's Park and levels of street cleanliness, which was noted across the whole of the borough. Heywood Distribution Park walked away with gold again in the ‘large commercial' category.

Hopwood Park in Heywood also achieved gold status on behalf of the friends’ group in the ‘small park’ category, including gold for The Tree House café situated at the park in the ‘small commercial’ category, with Face Medical taking a silver gilt and Phoenix Brewery a bronze award in the same category.

Sandra Trickett, who runs the café at Hopwood Park was also recognised for her outstanding contribution, alongside Ava and Elias Avellanet from Heywood, proudly taking the ‘young bloomer of the year award’ for their work in helping at events and distributing wildflower seeded cards.

Ava and Elias have also become regular visitors to the Heywood in Bloom allotment where they have their own raised bed for growing vegetables.

The first awards on Tuesday (18 October) – the community-led It’s Your Neighbourhood accolades – saw nine awards presented to the group.

The first award was for St Luke’s Primary School which once again achieved top marks and charmed the judges with their wonderful garden and forest school.

Level 5 Outstanding went to the Heywood in Bloom Community Allotment, Heywood Railway Station and Heywood Cherwell Centre.

Level 4 Thriving was awarded to Heywood Fire Station and the Tintern Place Garden whilst Roe Acre Court Sheltered Accommodation and Sandon House received level 3 Advancing.

St Luke’s Church, a new entry this year, was awarded a level 2 Improving.

Heywood in Bloom chair, Ellen Yates, said: “A total of 19 awards across Heywood this year which is a testament to the wonderful volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year to keep our town looking its best.

“This year we are especially proud of our primary-aged school children from St Luke’s and Harwood Park schools for their enthusiastic contributions.”