CONGLETON AWARDED RHS GOLD – BUT MISSES OUT ON OVERALL WINNER
Congleton has maintained its RHS Gold standard at the North West in Bloom awards for the second year running, but once again has watched Colne in Lancashire take the top spot of overall group winner.
Congleton Town Mayor, Sally Ann Holland, Leader of the Town Council Councillor Bob Edwards, Town Clerk Brian Hogan, and Facilities Manager Chris Jones attended the North West in Bloom award ceremony in Southport last week and accepted the award on behalf of the town.Town Mayor Sally Holland said: “Achieving Gold Status two years in a row is a magnificent achievement. It is a great credit to the town and to everyone who has given time to tidy, weed, litter pick and show pride in their community. To maintain our gold status and to rival Colne for the top spot in towns with a population of 10,001 – 30,000 will require an even greater input from people living and working in the town. The most successful towns have a large network of active helpers and this is something we need to work on in Congleton.”
The aim of the North West in Bloom competition is to encourage the improvement of local surroundings through the imaginative use of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscaping. It also aims to achieve a litter free and sustainable environment. This links directly to the four key aims of the Royal Horticultural Society which are: Horticultural Excellence, Community Involvement, Environmental Friendliness and Sustainability.
Making areas more attractive through planting is also a theme in the Community Pride awards. In Congleton the first area to be improved for the 2013 campaign is the over-grown area between the bus station and Capitol Walk. Congleton Food4Free plans to replant the area with bee friendly shrubs and plants as well as more blueberries. If anyone is willing to help with the clearing please turn up between 10am – 1pm on Tuesday 6 November. Wear sensible shoes and if possible bring some plant lopers.
Anyone not able to help on Tuesday but willing to get involved in looking after a small area, or being part of a team of litter pickers should contact Congleton Town Council on 01260 270350.
