Town blooms in its quest for gold
NORTH West In Bloom judges recently visited to Rochdale, to see how much the town is blooming.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) North West In Bloom competition came to town on Monday July 22 to judge the borough’s efforts in Rochdale In Bloom, visiting 14 award-winning locations, showcasing the very best in floral displays and community initiatives.
Rochdale In Bloom, a community led group, has lead the way recently, gaining Gold Medal status at the regional awards and representing the North West nationally in the ‘Small City’ category in the 2018 Britain In Bloom finals.
The Mayor of Rochdale, Coun Billy Sheerin, welcomed the RHS judges, Maxine Lord and Bernard Pendleton, at The Bridge Cafe, after which the group stared their tour at Norden Jubilee Park, which is one of only four parks to be awarded a National Certificate of Distinction in the RHS Parks award last year.
The group showed the judges the efforts made by volunteers at Moss Row
Allotments, Edenfield Road Alley Gate, Denehurst Park, Rochdale AFC’s Wonder Wall, Roch Valley Outdoor Learning Centre, Castleton Railway Station, Castleton War Memorial, Zen Internet, Springhill Hospice and the Growth Project, which aims to support mental health through gardening.
The judges were highly impressed by communityled projects, such as The Roch Valley Outdoor Learning Centre, Edenfield Road Alley Gate, created by local resident Bernice Clarke and her neighbours and Moss Row Community Allotment.
Frances Fielding, sales and marketing director at Rochdale AFC, told the judges about volunteers who helped plant Rochdale AFC’s very popular Wonder Wall.
Ian Trickett, Parks and Open Spaces Development Manager, highlighted the £338,000 spent on the Denehurst Park restoration and new Pirate themed play area.
A journey was taken to the Castleton War Memorial, St Edward’s Primary School and the gardens at Zen Internet.
After lunch they went to the outstanding Springhill Hospice, with its 30th anniversary floral labyrinth.
The tour ended at the Growth Project, before a visit to the town centre where they observed the floral displays at The Flying Horse Hotel, the Memorial gardens, and new additions – the Dippy the Dinosaur pop-up garden and the Rainbow Garden near Touchstones, to show support for the LGBTQ+ community in Rochdale has also been installed, following the announcement of Rochdale’s first-ever pride event in November 2019.
Mayor Sheerin said: “What an absolutely terrific day we have had, I hope it was an enjoyable experience for the judges like it was for me.
“With the sun shining and our fingers crossed, we’re hoping to take our third gold medal in a row.”
Roy Down, the chairman of Rochdale in Bloom, said: “I think this year’s effort from all the volunteers and Environmental Management teams has been unsurpassed. Everyone has stepped up, like always, ready for judging.”
Paul Ellison, vice chair of the In Bloom committee, said: “This year we have upped our game due to our massive sponsorship support from The Co-op and H Bell and Son, along with the enthusiasm of the volunteers, communities and council environmental management team.
“Thank you to everyone who helps the Rochdale In Bloom committee reach success.”
The results will be announced at the RHS North West in Bloom awards ceremony, in Southport, on Friday 1 November 2019.