News Release - Trafford awaits North West in Bloom judges

Where You Are

Service Directory

Page Feedback

Was this page useful to you? Rate this page:

Trafford awaits North West in Bloom judges

19 July 2004

With local people, schools, groups and organisations having put the finishing touches to floral displays, made the final checks of local areas and continued their environmental efforts, the excitement and anticipations is increasing as the Borough's day of reckoning in this year's prestigious North West in Bloom competition arrives.

Today (19 July) will see the judges viewing a wide variety of initiatives, schemes, locations and projects, as part of Trafford's entry in the Royal Horticultural Society's competition. With so much time and effort having gone into the entry from all corners of the Borough, expectation is high that once again Trafford can rise above the rest and take away a top prize, who knows maybe even go one better than last year and take the first prize in the Large City Category.

Executive Member for Arts and Leisure Councillor Paula Pearson said if effort alone won prizes, the Borough would sweep the board.

"Following on from last year's success the Borough has not one or two but four entries into this year's competition. The commitment, enthusiasm and determination shown by everyone involved is something to be admired and I am sure the judges will be impressed by the enormous effort and significant improvements that have been made since last year.

"Both the Borough's main entry and the Sale in Bloom, Altrincham in Bloom, Old Trafford in Bloom and Partington and Carrington in Bloom entries have captured the imagination of everyone. To see such efforts being made across all areas to spruce up streets, brighten gardens and green spaces, encourage recycling and other environmentally friendly activities is fantastic and the results show us all just what can be achieved by people working together.

"These entries are not Council entries, they are whole community entries and I am sure during their time in Trafford, the judges will have plenty to see and the images and achievements of local people and communities will leave a lasting impression on them," she said.

First on the Trafford in Bloom route for the judges will be Trafford Eco Park where they will see displays from the Council's partners, Red Rose Forest, Groundwork, Mersey Valley and Bollin Valley. They will then be taken, by electric/petrol hybrid car provided especially for the day past Urmston town centre to admire the sponsored hanging baskets, before stopping at Woodheys Park to meet the Friends of Woodheys Park, pupils from Woodheys Primary School (Eco School) and Lostock School Citizenship.

Their journey will then take them to Dunham Crematorium to meet members of the grounds maintenance teams whose tireless work helps keep local streets, gardens, parks and cemeteries colourful, green and clean.

They will then visit Halecroft Park, Moss Lane allotments and one of the Borough's adopted recycling centres, before moving to the Dovecote at Walkden Gardens.

One local gardener, Mary Eastwood, will also play host to the judges as she shows them around her garden, which she regularly opens to the public as part of the national open garden scheme.

The final stops of the day will take the judges for a walk through Sale Town Centre to the recently opened, Sale Waterside complex, winner of the 'Waterside Regeneration' category in the Northwest Business Environment Awards, before finally visiting Addison Crescent in Old Trafford, the Homezones area which has significantly improved the quality of life for local people.

Judging for the Borough's other entries is due to take place later this month and in August.