Bid to hit the heights in blooming contests

Alexandra Park

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OLDHAM Council has launched its annual Bloom and Grow campaign - and is aiming for new green-fingered heights.

This year the authority has not only entered North West in Bloom but has also accepted the nomination to compete in the Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom UK Finals in the Champions of Champions category.

The nomination is due to outstanding work in recent years.

Only six other places are competing in the category and Oldham hopes to be crowned one of the cleanest, greenest and most beautiful areas in the UK.

The entries aim is to showcase the best the borough has to offer and residents can help Oldham win - just like in previous years.

Oldham's won Best City in the North West six times running and won Best City in 2012 and 2014 in Britain in Bloom.

Once again the blooming WOW bed will be in the heart of the town centre for residents and visitors to view. This will form the centrepiece of this year's entry - details of which will be unveiled at a later date.

The theme for this year's campaign is 'Greening Grey Britain' - which focuses on conservation and wildlife and encourages residents to grow plants in towns and cities where possible.

The council are going bigger than ever this year and as a result have got five competitions for residents and businesses to enter - with great prizes to be won.

Those with green fingers can show off gardens, green or open spaces by entering the Private Garden Competition. To enter, people can send in pictures of their pride and joys - big or small.

Oldham's businesses can show off their flowering buildings and facades by entering the Best Blooming Business, Pub or Restaurant competition.

Keen snappers, young and old, just need to take beautiful pictures of the borough as part of the photography competitions. They don't need to be a professional but just take a picture from a smartphone.

All competitions are free to enter and best entries will win prizes. The deadline to enter all the competitions is July 7.

Helen Lockwood, Executive Director, Economy, Skill and Neighbourhoods, said: "Bloom and Grow is all about celebrating our communities, green spaces, villages and landscapes.

"Over the next few months Oldham Council's Bloom and Grow team, residents and partners will deliver inspiring displays, community projects and make environmental changes.

"We all need to work together for the community even if that is just picking up a piece of litter each day or placing a few hanging baskets around a property."

People can enter the competitions via an online web form at www.oldham.gov.uk/bloomandgrow; Email entries to: Bloomandgrow@oldham.gov.uk; or tag photos on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag: #OldhamBloom17

For more details of Bloom and Grow and the competitions visit: www.oldham.gov.uk/bloomandgrow