What a fantastic day it has been for Wilmslow and the surrounding areas at the North West In Bloom awards ceremony held in Southport today (Friday, 28th October).
In their fifth year of entry, Wilmslow has picked up a Gold award again in the Best Large Town category - making it the third year running that the judges have awarded Wilmslow Gold in the prestigious horticultural competition.
The In Bloom team are supported by Incredible Edible volunteers, over 80 businesses, local schools, various organisations and local residents who all came together to ensure the town centre and surrounding areas looked fantastic for this year's competition, for which they adopted the theme of Butterflies and Bees across Wilmslow, Styal and Alderley Edge.
Helen Yates, of the Wilmslow Bloom team and Incredible Edible said "It is wonderful to enjoy these results as the outcome of everyone's hard work throughout the year. A huge well done and thanks you all the volunteers of all the groups working together, both within Wilmslow and the links with our partnerships with neighbouring areas."
She added, 'We need to give the Wilmslow Clean Team special thanks too, as their voluntary efforts are a huge part of the result today.'
Additionally, The Carters Arms beautiful floral display impressed the judges whilst they stopped for refreshments along the route in July, gaining them a Gold award for Best Small Accommodation.
Earlier in the week, The Friends of the Carrs picked up a Level 5 'Outstanding' award, a step up from last year's Level 4 classified as 'thriving.' Also, in the RHS 'It's Your Neighbourhood' competition, which awards community groups for cleaning up and greening up their local environment, was Chapel Lane Business Group. In their first year of entry they were awarded a Level 4 'thriving' alongside the United Reform Church, with the same great result, a Level 4.
Ruth McNulty, Chair of Wilmslow In Bloom said "Our third Gold Award is a tribute to the numbers of residents, businesses and voluntary groups, who contribute significantly to the quality of the environmental attraction of the town. Aside from the obvious appeal of all the eye-catching planters around, we should also be grateful to those who work quietly but determinedly to keep the town clean. The volunteer force of the Wilmslow Clean team is invaluable.
"This year's awards also acknowledges the work done in outlying parts of the town and I am so pleased that the work of the Carter's Arms, the Friends of the Carrs, the Chapel Lane business group and the United Reformed Church has been acknowledged as part of the work underway. I offer my thanks to our sponsors – Wilmslow Town Council – for their funding which supports our entry."
Meanwhile, also in their first year of entry, Alderley Edge picked up an impressive Silver gilt award in the Small Town category and Styal won Silver in the Large Village category.
Wilmslow in Bloom are working on ideas for next year's theme already; 'Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Increase Your Garden Footprint.' This theme is hoped to see participants increase the area they give over to public green space, as well as to consider the environmental side of their efforts, such as encouraging insect life, grow-your-own local harvest and using peat free compost.
To get involved contact email Helen Yates or call her on 07771 862 863.
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