Growing for gold

TIGHT knit group . . . pictured at the town centre display are Councillor Barbara Brownridge (kneeling) with, from the left, council greenspace officer Paul Byrne, council gardener Andrew Marsland, Dr Kershaw’s Hospice community fundraiser Aaron Cheshire and council gardener John Hickey. PICTURE: Darren Robinson

Council links with silver jubilee hospice for 50th year of Britain in Bloom

OLDHAM Council and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice are urging residents to support their closely-knit campaign to go for gold in Britain in Bloom.

The two organisations have teamed up to celebrate the hospice’s 25th anniversary and the Royal Horticultural Society’s national competition, now in its 50th year.

A stunning flower display has already been created in Oldham town centre — as the borough again bids to win the “Best City” prize.

The theme for this year’s entry is “Gold” and is marked by a golden thread of flowers across town.

The traditional centrepiece in Market Place has giant balls of wool to represent everything that knits our communities together, from horticulture, growing, friendship, care, education, civic pride and the aim to make Oldham a better place for residents and visitors.

Oldham’s entry in the North-West in Bloom contest scooped the Best City award for the fourth year in a row.

For further information about the Bloom and Grow entry and how you can get involved in helping Dr Kershaw’s, visit www.drkershawshospice.org.uk