Borough blossoms for International Year of Co-operatives

Rochdale Borough Council’s Bowlee Nursery has grown almost 200,000 red, orange and yellow flowers to celebrate the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives

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Rochdale Borough Council’s Bowlee Nursery has grown almost 200,000 red, orange and yellow flowers to celebrate the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives.

Summer flowers reflecting the colours of the IYC logo will be planted in hanging baskets and flower beds across the borough as well as at the carpet beds in Rochdale next to Touchstones; at Heywood near St Luke’s Church in the town centre and at Jubilee Park in Middleton, all of which will have designs relating to the international logo.

Councillor Martin Burke, Cabinet Member for Environmental and Operational Services, said: “It’s fantastic that the team at Bowlee have been able to grow these flowers for the summer planting to mark this special year for the borough.

“Lots of activity has taken place to mark the year, particularly in schools raising awareness of why Rochdale is now recognised as the World Capital of Co-operatives and what co-operation is all about. Plus, it’s the International Day of Co-operatives on 7 July and it’s great that the flowers will be in bloom for that special day.”

Later this year Dame Pauline Green, President of the International Co-operative Alliance, will be coming to Rochdale to host a global meeting of co-operators in Rochdale Town Hall. She said: “This is a great idea! It’s a fantastic way of marking the year in the borough. Hundreds of co-operators will be coming to Rochdale later this year and I can guarantee it will be welcomed by co-operators everywhere.”

Last November Rochdale was declared as the World Capital of Co-operatives, receiving international recognition over 100 years after the Rochdale Pioneers brought about the birth of the Co-operative movement.

Rochdale Council Leader Colin Lambert said: “Rochdale is known throughout the world because of its co-operative history and 2012 gives us a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our contribution to the co-operative movement.”

Pauline Green, the President of the International Co-operative Alliance, said: “Rochdale is still leading the way as it’s heading towards having a new and unique type of housing co-operative, co-owned by tenants and employees, and it’s leading on the Co-operative Councils initiative too.”