National honour is blooming great

FLORAL honour: Oldham’s town-centre garden helped the borough win the best city category of North West in Bloom

Oldham selected to represent NW in prestigious awards
OLDHAM will represent the North-West in the 2012 Britain in Bloom competition.

It will go head-to-head with Aberdeen, Northampton, Norwich and Westminster in the best city category, which is based on population size.

It is the first time that the borough has been selected to take part in the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) national competition.

The honour comes after Oldham scooped the best city title for the second year running at last year’s North-West in Bloom competition.

The borough impressed the judges with its stunning entry which included a garden in Market Place and a giant bucket and spade at Mayfield School.

Oldham also picked up the new environmental award in recognition of cleanliness at the ceremony in October.

Only 73 finalists have been chosen from more than 1,000 entries for Britain in Bloom 2012. Categories range from small rural villages to major industrial cities with finalists vying for a gold medal and the coveted category title.

The judging panel will visit Oldham in July, awarding points for horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility. The results will be announced in October at an awards ceremony in Guernsey.

Councillor Jean Stretton, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “We are delighted that the borough has been chosen to represent the North-West at Britain in Bloom.

“This honour is the result of years of hard work by the council’s Bloom and Grow team, residents and partners, which has already seen us win the region’s best city award for two years running.

“We have already started thinking about how we will rise to the national challenge and deliver some truly inspiring displays and community projects that will set us apart from the competition, make long-standing environmental changes and, perhaps best of all, put a smile on the faces of residents and visitors.”

Britian in Bloom was started by the British Tourist Authority in 1964 as a way of marketing the country.

RHS director general Sue Biggs said: “Britain in Bloom would be nothing without the enormous number of volunteers who are committed to greening up their corner of the nation.

“It is an absolute honour for the RHS to be associated with these groups and individuals and I wish Oldham the very best of luck.”