Get your Bloom and Grow entry in

Oldham Council is once again launching its annual Bloom and Grow campaign in a bid to maintain its golden streak in the RHS North West in Bloom competition.

Council officers are looking to follow up last year’s success, when it scooped Best City* in North West in Bloom for the eighth year in a row.

As usual the Oldham entry aims to showcase the very best the borough has to offer.

In keeping with tradition, the WOW bed in the town centre will form the centrepiece of this year’s entry – details of which will be unveiled at a later date.

This year’s theme is Greening Grey Britain, but the Council is incorporating a circus theme to coincide with Circus250, a national campaign celebrating 250 years of circus. 

The Council want residents of all ages and local businesses to get involved and do their bit so the borough looks great in the summer sun.

There are also annual competitions for you to take part in.

Photographers can send in their snaps of the best the borough has to offer.

You don’t have to be an expert photographer and the winner will receive £150 plus the chance for your work to be seen by thousands in a future edition of residents’ newspaper, Borough Life.

Your work will also be showcased on Council social media channels.

Budding snappers can also enter our young photographer competition, which is for those aged 14 and under.

The youngster who takes the winning photo will take home a digital camera.

All submitted photos must follow the theme of Greening Grey Britain – so be creative and get your top hats on.

If your business, firm or company premises are looking particularly well at this time of year, then why not send in an entry for our Best Business competition?

The keenly-contested Private Gardens contest also gives green-fingered residents the chance to show off their skills.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, said: “Bloom and Grow is more than just flowers – it’s about celebrating and improving our districts, neighbourhoods and gardens so we can all feel proud.

“This is a real team effort; it’s not just the council’s environmental services – who do a sterling job – it’s residents, schools, businesses and community groups pulling together and making an effort.

“A lot of people show pride in our borough.

"Let’s make sure that it’s reflected by how we make it look.”

For more information about how you can take part in Bloom and Grow, plus details of how to enter the competitions, visit: http://www.oldham.gov.uk/bloomandgrow

*Oldham is entered into the Best City category due to the size of its electoral roll.