D-Day for bloom bid

THE floral book display in the town centre will be viewed by the judges

TWO judges were visiting Oldham today to assess the borough’s entry into the prestigious North-West in Bloom competition.

The pair will take a four-hour tour to see how the borough’s Bloom and Grow bid measures up against the flower power of other towns, cities and villages.

The tour was starting at the Civic Centre before travelling along West Street to see decorative barrier planters and the roundabout display produced for Oldham Choral Society’s 125th birthday.

Judges will then take a town centre route via the bus station and the Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre.

At Market Place they were due to meet Oldham Library staff and children enjoying a reading session at the spectacular floral book display designed by Graeme Gibson, the council’s award-winning florist.

Other planned stops were the Bloom and Grow shop — showcasing examples of local environmental work — and High Street, where Blue Coat School pupils and teachers involved in planting projects were due to greet them.

Other stops on the tour were the revamped Old Town Hall’s exterior and Sainsbury’s to sample Bloom and Grow bread, plus the gardens at Gallery Oldham.

The journey was ending at the award-winning Alexandra Park where apprentices and staff were to show them around the historic gardens and observatory.

Councillor Jackie Stanton, deputy council leader, was greeting the judges on arrival alongside the Oldham Mayor, Councillor Jim McArdle.

Councillor Stanton said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved with Bloom and Grow for the enormous amount of work they have put in during recent weeks.”

Oldham was judged against a stringent list of five criteria: permanent landscaping, conservation and recycling, local environmental quality and public awareness.

The winners will be revealed at an award ceremony in Southport on October 23.