Tatton MP George Osborne joined volunteers from Wilmslow In Bloom on Thursday, 3rd November, to congratulate them on their recent wins in the 2016 RHS North West In Bloom competition.
It really was a fantastic year for Wilmslow, with representatives of the town bringing home five awards in what is only their 5th year of entry. However, they have no intention of resting of their laurels. Instead they are already looking ahead to next year's entry in the hope of building on this year's five awards.
In addition to picking up a Gold award, for the third year running, Anna and Mikey Sharples at The Carters Arms particularly impressed the judges with their beautiful floral display which earned them a Gold award for Best Small Accommodation.
Whilst in the RHS 'It's Your Neighbourhood' competition, which runs alongside Britain in Bloom and awards community groups, The Friends of the Carrs were given a Level 5 'Outstanding' award for their tremendous efforts over the year and in recognition of what a valuable resource The Carrs is for Wilmslow.
Additionally, the Chapel Lane Business Group, in their first year of entry, were awarded a Level 4 'thriving' alongside the United Reform Church, who also achieved a Level 4, for cleaning up and greening up their local environments.
Ruth McNulty, Chair of Wilmslow In Bloom, said "In our fifth entry to In Bloom, we decided to take a more innovative approach to the competition by showcasing some of the 'in progress' projects away from the centre of the town, which, in previous years, has been the focus not only of our attention but also of commercial activity.
"The journey around Wilmslow West was only possible by the loan of the High School minibus, who efficiently ferried us around from our start point of Lindow Common to the conclusion at the Memorial Gardens, where we laid on a buffet lunch, funded by Sainsbury and by contributions from volunteers, and attended by many of the voluntary groups, who had so magnificently demonstrated their individual projects.
"From the orchard at the Temp to the WI ornamental beds at Arlington Close the ongoing work on the Carrs and the marvellous floral decorations at the Carter's Arms, the Judges saw a fraction of the effort by Wilmslow Groups to decorate our town. We were rewarded accordingly.
"All our out of town projects were recognised with a 'Neighbourhood' award including an 'outstanding' category for the work of the Friends of the Carrs."
George Osborne said, "It was wonderful to meet the team responsible for Wilmslow's third RHS in Bloom Gold. The town centre and surrounding areas looked absolutely beautiful, so it's no surprise they got gold."
Speaking about their future plans Ruth McNulty said "Our particular challenge is just how we can build on this year's five awards – a Gold for the Town and four Neighbourhood awards - next year.
"We propose that we ask businesses and community groups to think how they can help promote wild life – birds, bees, hedgehogs, butterflies – by our planting both in our gardens and in the public spaces under our influence. We will be taking expert advice to help guide us in our quest.
"'Walk on the wild side' will be our 2017 theme."
Photo: (l-r) Back row - Cllr Joan Ftzgerald, Denise Valente, John Booth Treasurer of The Friends of the Carrs, Cllr Rod Menlove, Iain Duncan from the United Reformed Church and Ruth McNulty. Front row - Anna Sharples, George Osborne and Julie Dawn Potts.
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I really do hope that our Cheshire East council will empower Wilmslow Town Council by returning the money taken over the years from Wilmslow and therefore giving us effective and efficient local government for the people by the people.