It’s Oldham in Gloom!

Team misses out on national title

OLDHAM’S Bloom and Grow team were pipped at the post in the race to win a national accolade.

Team members behind the borough’s first North-West in Bloom entry in seven years were runners-up at the Local Government Association’s Council Worker of the Year Awards.

The coveted honour was taken by Birmingham City Council at the LGA Conference in Bournemouth, beating off the other short-listed contenders — Oldham, Allerdale and Plymouth.

This awards scheme seeks to champion the unsung heroes of local government and the Team of the Year category was decided by a public vote.

The Bloom and Grow team’s efforts last year resulted in Oldham being named Best Town Centre and also finish as runner-up to Chester in the prestigious Best City category.

Hard-working staff, including street cleaners, gardeners and landscape specialists, transformed a route — starting in the town centre before heading through Glodwick and Alexandra Park and finishing in Ashton Road — which judges toured to reach their decision.

Councillor Jackie Stanton, deputy council leader, said: “Although we are slightly disappointed not to have won, I am extremely proud of our Bloom and Grow team.

“These staff deserve praise for their vision and commitment in bringing a splash of colour, cheer and civic pride back to the borough last summer.

“It was good to get national recognition for that work, and I am very confident that this year’s Bloom and Grow campaign — with its greater emphasis on community involvement and environmental sustainability — will also prove to be a big success.”