Growing for gold

Blooming good show... a flashback to the highly successful 2010 Oldham in Bloom display at Royton with workmen Gary Raynor, left, and Lee Gannon

PLANS for Oldham to retain its North West in Bloom crown are already blossoming.

Oldham Council has unveiled early proposals for this summer’s entry after last year’s Bloom and Grow campaign saw the borough scoop the top prize of Best City despite being up against a host of larger conurbations, including Chester and Preston.

Ambitious work is already under way to make Bloom and Grow 2011 another huge success — taking its benefits into new areas with an even greater campaign emphasis on community involvement and environmental sustainability.

Council deputy leader Councillor Jackie Stanton said: “Last year’s result was a stunning success and we’re certainly not resting on our laurels for 2011.

“We’ve always promised to take Bloom and Grow to new areas of the borough and Oldham East will be next to benefit from the campaign.

“This innovative new route will feature some spectacular work from our seasoned gardeners, plus the nationally-recognised apprentices who work in our parks.

“Once again the involvement of local businesses and community groups will be key to everything we do and to that effect pupils from Blue Coat school — who are undertaking a Level 2 diploma in horticulture — are amongst the groups already signed up to the cause.”

Councillor Stanton added: “Looking even further ahead it is our intention for 2012 that the route will next head out to Shaw — this time involving a range of modern horticultural displays, allotments and residential homes.

“The 2012 route will include the Memorial Gardens in Shaw and the Green Flag Park at High Crompton before ending at the Dunwood Park, which will have just undergone a £1.2 million refurbishment in time for its centenary celebrations.

“Growing Together projects which have encouraged older residents out of their homes to socialise in growing healthy fruit and veg will be a central part of the community involvement of that campaign.”



New judging route:

The new judging route will see the Bloom and Grow team taking their horticultural and environmental skills to Oldham East on a tour which will visit:

::Market Place: The site of a major new showcase display in High Street.

::Oldham Parish Church: New environmental improvements are already under way including fencing, new trees, seating and bins to create an even more stunning outdoor venue.

::Yorkshire Street: New planters and bollard planters are being installed by the Business Improvement District.

::East along Huddersfield Road: En route to visiting Waterhead allotments and Waterhead Park.

::Ripponden Road and Derker via Vulcan Street: Work is under way to transform ex-housing sites into wildflower meadows and where residents — plus local schools — will be mucking in to create a blaze of seasonal colour.

::Stoneleigh Park, Derker: The prestigious Green Flag park will showcase a newly-installed pavilion as a focal point for the local community.

::West along Huddersfield Road to Union Street: Gallery Oldham will boast a new garden on a decking area outside the cafe. Fruit and vegetables will be grown to be harvested and eaten in the cafe and the venue will also become a new outdoor classroom for school and youth groups.