OLDHAM has scooped the ‘Best City’ prize at the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious North West in Bloom competition.
And there were more successes with the ‘Best Feature in a Public Place Award’ for their WOW bed and gold in Best Town Centre Awards – the highest attainment in this category.
Additionally, Oldham Council’s Head of Environmental Services, Glenn Dale, was awarded the Outstanding Contribution Award for his annual hard work on the campaign.
This is the eighth successive year the borough’s entry, Bloom and Grow, has led to the award of a trophy.
Cllr Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives, said: “To win Best City for eight years in a row is a truly outstanding achievement and a real honour for our borough.
“The displays from our Environmental Team, as ever, have impressed the public and the RHS judges.
“Our Bloom and Grow campaign is a real team effort and it wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of our dedicated residents, schools, communities and businesses.
“A lot of people show pride in our borough so let’s make sure that it’s reflected by how we make it look in the future.”
The theme for this year’s campaign was ‘Greening Grey Britain’, which focussed on conservation and wildlife, encouraging residents to grow plants in towns and cities where ever possible.
The WOW bed centrepiece display in the town centre featured a ‘Bug Hotel’ with oversized bugs and a reception area, welcoming people to the town.
Although Oldham is a town, entries to the Britain in Bloom ‘Best City’ category are based on the size of the electoral.