Joy as Oldham triumphs at Britain in Bloom

DIAMONDS are forever . . . the diamond floral display opposite the Spindles Shopping Centre

OLDHAM has proved itself a blooming success after scooping a prestigious Britain in Bloom award at the first time of asking.

The borough saw off stiff competition to bag the “Best City” gong from the Royal Horticultural Society.

The town was eligible for “city” entry due to its size of population

Bloom and Grow judges awarded the borough the top prize at a prestigious awards ceremony in Guernsey on Saturday.

Oldham also took the Pride of Place award for community involvement, thanks to its ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign.

The win saw it beat tricky opposition including Aberdeen, Norwich and Westminster — despite the London city being dressed for the Jubilee and Olympics.

Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and devolved services, said: “To win these two categories has added a real sense of achievement and reflects the hard work, dedication and commitment from all who have been involved. We are ecstatic.”

More than 1,200 UK communities, from big cities to small villages, participated in RHS’s Britain in Bloom campaign.


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