North West In Bloom: fourth year gold for Middleton In Bloom

Date published: 20 October 2023

Months of hard work from volunteers across Middleton have paid off as Middleton In Bloom retained its gold accolades for a fourth year at this year’s RHS North West In Bloom awards.

Middleton was once again awarded a gold medal in the ‘small city’ category, as well as taking gold for the third year running for Jubilee Park and the Old Cemetery, and the town centre, at the Thursday (19 October) awards.

Jubilee Park also received a discretionary 'Parks & Green Spaces' award and Davina Unsworth, who is intrinsic to the group, was also awarded an outstanding contribution award.

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 accolades were presented on Thursday (19 October), whilst the It’s Your Neighbourhood awards were presented on Tuesday (17 October).

All of Middleton In Bloom’s Level 5 Outstanding entries from last year – St Michael’s Garden Gang, The Croft Community Garden, Hope Garden, Friends of Alkrington Woods and Hopwood Hall Estate – retained the maximum award, joined by St John’s Primary School in Thornham.

Read more: Hopwood Hall Estate retains Level 5 Outstanding at North West In Bloom It’s Your Neighbourhood AwardsPublished: 19 October 2023

Four Level 4 Thriving awards were presented to the Alkrington Community Centre, Alkrington & Providence URC, Furness Road Garden and the Middleton Technology School Garden.

A special ‘Wild About Gardens’ discretionary award was also presented to The Croft Community Garden.

Keeley O’Mara, secretary and coordinator of Middleton In Bloom, said: “It has been an absolutely amazing day for the Middleton community. 

“Thanks goes out to the Friends of Jubilee Park and the Old Cemetery for working with us and entering the beautiful park.

“We would like to say a massive thanks to our sponsors Storage World Self Storage and Workspace, and Sign & Print Direct for continuing to put your support behind us. We are truly grateful for having you with us in our In Bloom family.”

Keeley added: “Another thanks to Rochdale Borough Council for working alongside side us whether it’s Environmental Management, Highways or Middleton Township. It means so much to be working together to improve our lovely little town.

“A special thanks goes to Middleton Round Table and Rotary Middleton for your donations, and an extra special thanks goes to all the community groups that entered the It’s Your Neighbourhood competition

“We have a few people that need to be thanked individually for all they have done with us over the year; they are Councillor Billy Sheerin, Ian Trickett, Davina Unsworth, John Hanley, Julian Hawkins, Michael Buczman and the team at Bowlee Nursery.”