Members of the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) have visited Rochdale Town Centre for the judging of the North West in Bloom competition.
The Rochdale Town Centre In Bloom entry is a new category for 2016 and has been co-ordinated by Nigel Morrell and Roy Down of the In Bloom team and Rochdale Town Centre Management’s Mark Foxley.
The entry has been a fantastic partnership working well supported by Rochdale Councils Environmental Management team and involving numerous Town Centre businesses.
The route included the award winning Number 1 Riverside building and surrounding gardens, The Baum Conservation area, The Exchange & Wheatsheaf Shopping Centres, The Memorial Gardens, The River Roch & Medieval Bridge, The Flying Horse & Packer Sprout, Touchstones and of course the Town Hall and front gardens.
As with the Township, the RHS judging team included three experts, headed up by chariman of North West in Bloom, Bill Blackledge MBE. The judges met with the Mayor before being shown around the Town Centre
Speaking about the visit Bill said: “It is clear that Rochdale Town Centre has shown great partnership working and worked hard on their entry, it’s come a long way from the Boxing Day floods”
The judges also said: “One thing we have noticed is how clean the streets are both along the route and on our way into the town, no weeds, no litter, they are spotless.”
Speaking after the visit, the chairman of the Rochdale Township in Bloom Committee said: “Today’s tour has been an absolute pleasure, we have had a great day and the judges have seen a side of Rochdale that is rarely portrayed by the media.
"Community has been a real focus of what we have shown the judges today and we think it has really hit the mark. "Rochdale can be very proud of itself, we have a great town and a lot to celebrate.”
Mark Foxley added, “We are delighted with the partnership working and the Town Centre is already a winner looking so good. Thanks very much indeed to everyone involved to create such a great result”
With many more entries still to be visited over the summer months, the results of the visit will not be announced until October, at a special awards ceremony held in Southport.
13 Jul 2016