In Bloom return will see our future grow

IN bloom . . . part of last year’s North-West in Bloom entry outside Spindles with the project team

Green dream promises long-term benefits

OLDHAM will soon be awash with colour as work begins on this year’s North-West in Bloom entry.

Last year’s campaign marked Oldham’s return to the regional contest following a seven-year absence.

Oldham was crowned Best Town Centre and finished runner-up in the prestigious Best City category, which was won by Chester.

Plans are now afoot to make this year’s entry an even bigger success but exact details are being kept under wraps.

Seasonal splashes of colour and fragrance will again be key attractions with the creative planting of flowers, shrubs and trees under the summer holiday theme.

These will adorn a new judging route which will take in the freshly-groomed town centre before exiting down Rochdale Road through Coldhurst, into Royton, and ending at Tandle Hill Country Park.

Deputy council leader Jackie Stanton said: “Bloom and Grow was a huge triumph last year but our team is certainly not resting on its laurels.

“We want to build on that momentum and deliver a campaign that is even bigger and better — extending it into new communities and involving even more citizens, schools, groups and businesses than before.

“We also have more emphasis on delivering sustainable projects this time — ones that will create longer-lasting benefits as part of our drive to make Oldham a cleaner and greener place to live and work.

“We’ll be working with residents, for example, to encourage them to recycle better and grow not just floral baskets and window boxes, but also their own produce.”

A preliminary date of August 6 has been set for the North-West in Bloom panel to visit Oldham.

The borough will then be judged against the following criteria: floral displays; permanent landscaping; conservation and recycling; local environmental quality and public awareness.

Council staff behind last year’s Bloom and Grow initiative have been nominated for the Council Worker of the Year Awards 2010.

The team — which at times battled the elements to wow the judges — has been shortlisted in the Council Team of the Year category by the Local Government Channel. A public vote decides who will get the coveted accolade before the closing date of July 8. You can vote for them online at www.oldham. gov.uk/voteforus or by sending a text to 80039 quoting LGATV 2 Oldham.