​In Bloom judging day – what will be the verdict?

Gardeners, volunteers, and council staff face an anxious wait after the judges from RHS North West in Bloom came to the borough.

The judges, Bill Blackledge and Brendan Cook, were taken on a swift tour of sites in Bury and Radcliffe to look at floral displays as well as environmental projects, examples of conservation and evidence of support from businesses and hands-on support from the community.

Bury has won a gold award and the Best Large Town prize for the last 11 years, while Radcliffe has won a gold award for four years running. On Thursday 6 August, Bury will represent the region in the Britain in Bloom finals for the sixth time since 2005..

In Bury, the judges were very complimentary about:

* The new wicker features – the ‘fat controller’ at Bury Bridge, the ‘soldiers’ in Gallipoli Garden and the ‘leaping fish’ at Burrs

* The rugby feature at the Heap Bridge roundabout

* Gallipoli Gardens, a ‘fantastic’ feature in a public place

* Clarence Park – they thought the Wheels for All and the Green Cafe were great community assets

* The amount of support we have from businesses and the community

* Everywhere was litter free

* The standard of grounds maintenance around the borough was outstanding.

In Radcliffe, the judges mentioned:

* Ongoing business and community support

* Fabulous standards of grounds maintenance and street cleansing

* The barge feature on Water Street is amazing.

Councillor Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Producing successful In Bloom results year on year is a fantastic achievement and clearly demonstrates what can be pulled off when council teams work in partnership with the local community and local businesses.

“Whatever the official results, the quality of our environment is a credit to everyone involved.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 27 July 2015.

Picture: The North West in Bloom judges visit Bury and Radcliffe. Also pictured (centre) is Cllr Michelle Wiseman, deputy mayor of Bury, and (far right) Cllr Mike Connolly, leader of the council.