Green team is blooming great

CHAMPIONS (back, from left): greenspace officer Paul Byrne, gardeners Lee Gannon, Geoff Hargreaves, Chris Dyer and Glynn Dyer. Front: Councillor Jean Stretton, greenspace manager Glenn Dale and assistant executive director for environment, Carol Brown

OLDHAM has left rival towns green with envy after scooping a hat-trick of honours at North-West in Bloom.

Preston and Chester withered away while Oldham retained the coveted Best City — deemed a city based on electoral roll numbers — accolade for the second year running with “gold” status.

Oldham Council then outshone other authorities to pick up the new Environmental Award in recognition of the cleanliness of the local area.

And the final honour came when Oldham was selected as the North- West’s regional representative in the national Britain in Bloom 2012 contest in the City category.

It’s the third year of success for the borough after Oldham won Best Town Centre in 2009 following a seven-year absence from the contest. The borough’s entry in the prestigious regional competition was awarded at the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre. Two judges were taken on a three-hour tour of wide-ranging works designed to showcase natural beauty and sustainable environment improvements around the town centre, Mumps, Waterhead and Derker, back in July. Highlights of Oldham Bloom and Grow included a themed garden in Market Place; the giant bucket and spade at Mayfield School, wildflower meadows in Derker, and an exhibition at Gallery Oldham.

Councillor Jean Stretton said: “This achievement has again proved that civic pride is alive and well across our borough. In a year that has seen the council’s Parks and Street Scene services merged our staff have clearly demonstrated their commitment and it is only right that all their hard work has been richly rewarded. They have worked alongside schools, the Future Jobs Fund, Housing 21, community farms, Community Payback, Oldham’s Business Improvement District and Oldham Community Health Service and more to deliver this project.

“These awards are a stunning example of what a co-operative borough can achieve — everyone has pulled together to make Oldham a better place to live.”

She also acknowledged the previous administration’s commitment to the project, which was launched last March.

The Love Lydgate group were also celebrating their village’s entry as they scooped a level five — or “outstanding” — accolade for the It’s Your Neighbourhood award.

Linda Howarth, co-ordinator of Lydgate in Bloom, said: “The whole village has worked together — it’s been a real team effort and the impact it has had on our village is tremendous.

“We are absolutely delighted with our achievement and we are thrilled that Oldham won so many awards.”