Flower power

EVERY year an army of green-fingered workers and volunteers transforms villages, towns and cities across the country. Reporter Karen Doherty found out more about the in-bloom revolution which has making a return to Oldham.

IF you think Britain in Bloom is all about twee villages and hanging baskets then think again.

And you don’t have to go further than Oldham town centre to see how modern and imaginative it can be.

Part of Market Place has been transformed into a desert island delight complete with sandy beach and treasure chest.

Then there’s the striking bucket and spade in Royton which, while not to everyone’s taste, is certainly eye-catching, and the underwater-themed garden at Shaw Road End.

Along with a profusion of traditional displays, the aim is to boost the feel-good factor and create a sense of pride in the borough — as well as impressing the North-West in Bloom judges who visited on Friday.

It brings a slice of the popular Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) flower shows such as Chelsea and Tatton Park to Oldham.

Deputy council leader Jackie Stanton said: “We have exhibited at Tatton in the past. This is about doing Tatton-type things which Oldhamers can see.”

Britain in Bloom began in 1963 when horticulturist Roy Hay visited a France which “filled to overflowing” with flowers during the Fleurissement de France.

President de Gaulle had ordered people to brighten up the country and Hay was so impressed that he approached the British Tourist Authority to run it here.

Following a pilot, it went national in 1974 and is now one of the largest horticultural campaigns in Europe.

Categories were introduced in the 1970s so that entries of different sizes could be compared more easily.

These now range from best large city down to caravan park, pub, residential home, shopping centre and hospital grounds. The best regional entries are invited to take part in Britain in Bloom, and can even go on to compete at international level.

Oldham has had an on-off history with the competition. The Liberal Democrats entered after they swept to power in 2000 before Labour ditched the competition when they regained control, saying it was a waste of money.

But the Lib-Dems re-instated the event last year and Oldham’s stunning entry drew plaudits from residents, visitors and judges alike.

It included the popular town centre display which featured a large book surrounded by glasses, plant pots, pencils and flowers.

And it proved to be a double success for the borough which was named best town centre and was runner-up in the best city category (classes are based on population).

At a cost of £200,000, Councillor Stanton explained: “It was always in our manifesto as something we would do again because we felt it was so important.

“In Labour’s alternative budget they recognised it was a success. They recognised the people of Oldham enjoyed it and there was a sum of money put in their budget for it.”

This year’s entry, “Oldham by the Sea”, was designed by the Bloom and Grow team and has taken 12 months to complete.

Glenn Dale, Oldham’s principal countryside and horticultural officer, said: “The staff enjoy it immensely, they get a lot of pride out of it.”

Councillor Stanton thinks Oldham will score well in this category when the results are announced in Stockport in October.