The borough of Rochdale is glittering gold again as community groups were recognised for their commitment to horticultural excellence at the recent North West in Bloom awards.
The borough of Rochdale is glittering gold again as community groups were recognised for their commitment to horticultural excellence at the recent North West in Bloom awards.
The council, volunteer groups, and local businesses received multiple gold awards, reflecting the borough’s ongoing dedication to making the borough bloom.
For Rochdale, the awards came thick and fast, starting with a surprise accolade for the town which scooped the ‘clean sweep’ award for pristine streets and a litter free environment, which is testament to the council’s environmental teams and the Rochdale in Bloom group.
Rochdale also took gold for ‘town centre’ and ‘small city’ – taking best in category in both. This award was achieved through collaborative work with local community groups, businesses and Rochdale town centre Business Improvement District (BID), who bagged a silver gilt and best business improvement district.
Green spaces outside the town centre in Rochdale also shone gold, with Denehurst Park taking gold for the fourth year in the ‘large parks’ category, thanks to council teams and a strong working partnership with the friends of Denehurst Park volunteers.
In the 'urban community' category, Spotland and Falinge, and Balderstone and Kirkholt took home a gold award. While Castleton in Bloom and Healey, Syke and Shawclough took silver in the same category.
Norden in Bloom achieved gold for the fifth year in a row taking best town centre in the ‘town’ category.
The ever-popular Jubilee Park in Norden won yet another gold in the ‘pocket park’ category, with Birtle Brook Village and the Pavilion each receiving a gold, winning the accolade of best in their respective categories, ‘large accommodation’ and ‘small retail/commercial/industrial park’ alongside Zen Internet.
Heywood gained more accolades as the much-loved Queen’s Park secured gold again in the ‘large parks’ category, with Hopwood Park taking a silver gilt in ‘small parks’.
Heywood retained gold in the ‘town centre’ and ‘large town’ category. Another honour for Heywood included a gold award once again for ‘large industrial park', for Heywood Distribution Park.
The awards didn’t stop there as in Pennines, Hollingworth Lake was awarded gold for best ‘large tourist attraction’, with Healey Dell tea rooms also keeping their gold winning streak for ‘small tourist attraction’.
Hare Hill Park was another gold winner in the ‘small parks’ category and Pennines in Bloom took gold for Wardle village in the ‘town’ category, also securing gold in the ‘large town’ category.
Littleborough won another gold in the ‘large town’ category.
Following Middleton in Bloom’s recent achievement at the Royal Horticultural Society’s annual Britain in Bloom competition, where the town centre was recognised as a category winner, Middleton continued its impressive track record securing gold in both the 'best small city' and 'town centre' categories in the local awards.
Jubilee Park took gold in the ‘small parks’ category - home to the beautiful monumental staircase and exedra, built in 1906 by Edgar Wood. The park has complementary landscaping and is supported by a hands-on friend’s group who take great pride in their local park, with the chair of the friends’ group now heading up the wider Middleton in Bloom volunteer group.
The heritage features in Middleton didn’t go unnoticed, with the heritage mural taking the award for ‘best art in the community’ and The Olde Boar’s Head pub gaining a sliver gilt in ‘small accommodation’, with Stakehill BID taking silver in the ‘large industrial park’ section. A school’s award was also given to SJT Making Thornham Green.
The Jolly Josh inclusive green space award, a new award sponsored by the council, was awarded to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for their Yew Tree health centre garden. This award holds considerable significance for the council, who continue to work closely with committed volunteer groups, such as Rochdale based charity Jolly Josh who support families with members with disabilities to improve the accessibility of parks and green spaces.
Councillor Tricia Ayrton, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate change and environment at Rochdale Borough Council, said:
"Winning these awards is no easy feat and they are never taken for granted. Our grounds team, Bowlee Garden Nursery and community partners work hard all year, which is reflected in the recognition our borough has received.
“These awards result from collaborative efforts to enhance our local community, ensuring attractive green spaces, clean streets, and vibrant floral displays for everyone. A huge thank you to everyone involved.”