Hopwood Hall Estate retains Level 5 Outstanding at North West In Bloom It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards

Date published: 19 October 2023

The volunteer gardening team at Hopwood Hall Estate in Middleton has – for a second year – received ‘Level 5 Outstanding’ in the Royal Horticultural Society’s North West In Bloom competition.

The ‘Hopwood Foundation Friends’ have updated the garden areas at very little cost, by encouraging people to donate tools, plants, trees and shrubs. They meet twice per week whatever the weather.

The Friends group at Hopwood Hall Estate were presented with the certificate for the second year in a row on Tuesday (17 October).

Boyd Taylor, of the Hopwood Foundation Friends Group who has been helping at Hopwood Hall Estate for many years now, said: “The volunteer gardeners at Hopwood Hall Estate have worked hard over the last three years to renovate the gardens and transform them from an overgrown jungle of weeds, rampant bushes and tree roots into a beautiful lawn and borders with 153 varieties of flower, shrubs, and trees.

“[We have done this] Without funding but with the amazing goodwill of helpers and people who have given us shrubs, trees, tools and plants.”

He added: “Last year we entered ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ for the first time and we were proud to receive the top accolade of Level 5 Outstanding - so to receive it for a second year running is fantastic.

“The positive feedback that we have from staff and students at Hopwood Hall College and from visitors to the Hall on open days is lovely."

In addition, Hopwood Hall Estate garden club was recently awarded a grant of £4,975 from the Middleton Township Committee towards the upkeep and continued renovation of the Hall’s gardens.

The regional North West In Bloom competition, part of the RHS’ wider Britain In Bloom contest, 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.

For further information on the Hopwood Foundation Friends group and how to join, please go to: https://hopwoodxiv.com/hopwood-hall-estate/#getinvolved