Joe aims to inspire glorious gardens

TV gardener backing Bloom and Grow

CELEBRITY TV gardener Joe Swift is hoping to inspire green-fingered Oldhamers in the run-up to this year’s Bloom and Grow campaign.

The garden designer, author and journalist — a familiar face to millions of viewers of BBC’s “Gardeners’ World” — will lend a hand to Oldham’s entry in this year’s North-West in Bloom competition.

Joe will help promote local and wider awareness of Oldham’s green spaces as well as encouraging more Oldhamers to get out into their gardens.

The presenter will be writing a weekly blog for the Visit Oldham website (www.visitoldham.com) that will be packed with tips to help residents get their gardens, window boxes and hanging baskets blooming.

Joe said: “I was absolutely delighted to be asked to get involved with the Bloom and Grow campaign, and to help promote the borough.

“I am a mad keen gardener and I want to try to inspire that kind of enthusiasm and passion in the area over the coming months.

“Each week you can log on to my blog at the Visit Oldham website and there will also be a fortnightly feature where people looking to grow their own produce can get hints and tips.

“You’ll even be able to ask the Bloom and Grow team questions related to gardening through the website, so I am looking forward to seeing Oldham’s streets flourishing soon with brilliant blooms.”

Joe will also visit Oldham later this year to present awards to the winners of the council’s new garden competition.

All private residents can be in with a chance of winning by completing an entry form online at www.oldham.gov.uk/bloomandgrow or by calling 0161-770 4056 — and returning it with two photographs of their garden before July 2.

Deputy council leader Councillor Jackie Stanton said: “We’re delighted to have someone of Joe Swift’s profile and passion backing Bloom and Grow — and especially to get him involved in our garden competition.

“All you need to take part is a garden that you maintain yourself. Even if you don’t have a lot of space you could still win as our judges are looking for tidiness, well-maintained lawns, shrubs and flower beds.

“The winners with the best three gardens in the borough will get cash prizes and you will also be invited to a presentation evening to personally receive your award from Joe Swift.”