North West In Bloom: four gold awards for Pennines

Date published: 21 October 2023

The Pennines In Bloom volunteer group has received four gold awards and two silver gilts at this Royal Horticultural Society North West In Bloom competition.

The Pennines group - which encompasses Littleborough, Milnrow and Newhey, and Wardle - won six awards at the awards ceremony on Thursday (19 October).

Gold accolades were presented for the large town category, Hare Hill Park (small park), Hollingworth Lake and Watergrove Reservoir (both in the large tourist attraction category), and the silver gilts presented to Wardle and Littleborough in the large town category.

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 the Pennines villages; 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.

Chairman of Pennines In Bloom, Ray Smith said: "Everyone is chuffed to bits that we managed to get the highest level for the majority of our entries.

“The silver gilts are so close to gold, so we are highly delighted with all of our results."

Twenty certificates were presented to Pennines In Bloom's community groups earlier this week on Tuesday (17 October) for their It’s Your Neighbourhood results:

Level 5 Outstanding

• Hare and Hounds community garden, Wardle
• Canal side and canal street, Littleborough
• Shaftesbury Avenue and Little Clegg Street, Smithybridge
• Ladybarn Bowling Club (distinction)
• Milnrow village
• Firgrove village
• Sheriff Street housing scheme
• Milnrow memorial park
• Shore in Bloom

Level 4 Thriving

• Wardle memorial gardens
• Chapel Street/Henry Street, Wardle
• Milnrow Horticultural Society
• St James’ Church, Milnrow
• Newhey Village

Level Three Advancing

• Willie Edwards fold, Wardle
• Wardle fold and allotments
• East street nature garden, Wardle
• Elm Grove bungalows, Wardle
• Cray gardens, Milnrow
• Stannybrook park and ponds, Milnrow