After winning gold with its first-time Britain in Bloom entry, Rawtenstall has been picked to represent the North West in the 2023 competition
Volunteer-led Civic Pride Rossendale coordinated last year’s entry and engaged hundreds of people from the community to back its plans.
Chair of North West in Bloom, Bernard Pendleton said: “We are delighted that the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has accepted our region’s nomination of Rawtenstall in Bloom to represent the North West region in the Large Town category in the RHS Britain in Bloom UK 2023 Finals.
“Their In Bloom community spirit is truly wonderful, the work they undertake is bloomin’ excellent and the volunteers work tirelessly throughout the year to keep their local areas looking beautiful, as well as cleaner and greener.”
The team’s stunning 2022 displays started at the railway station and led around the town in a loop, taking in floral beds, shop windows, knitted displays, children’s pictures and showed a town bursting with colour and love.
Rossendale Ukelele Band provided entertainment and there was a carnival atmosphere.
The 2023 entry will be based on sunflowers, slippers and sparrows to reflect blooms, industrial history and wildlife. An awareness stall was held on Rawtenstall Market to encourage more residents to get involved.
Projects officer and trustee, Chris Blomerley, said: “If people want to take ownership of one of the garden spaces we maintain, we can provide funds, equipment and the know how to help them make it bloom.”
Last year Sparrow Park, near the war memorial, was developed and one bed was planted by charity Veterans In Communities while another Ukrainian bed was created by children from St James the Less School.
Chair of Civic Pride Rossendale, Sue Shuttleworth said: “It is wonderful that all the hard work by so many volunteers around the town is being recognised, and that we will have the opportunity to showcase our many different gardens, extensive heritage, amazing community spirit and our vibrant high street to a wider audience.”
The team work 365 days a year to keep the town clean, especially the Rawtenstall-Edenfield bypass, removing 20 tonnes of litter and fly tipping every year.
Rossendale Council leader Councillor Alyson Barnes said: “For me it is about the recognition and acknowledgement this brings; Britain in Bloom judges have seen and understood what a truly special place Rawtenstall is.”
This year’s entry will be up against the best nine other large towns from Anglia, Cumbria, Heart of England, Midlands, South East and West, Thames and Chiltern, Ulster and Scotland.
Anyone who wants to help with the project can visit www.civic-pride.org.uk or email info@civic-pride.org.uk and the team can be followed on Facebook or Instagram.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here