Congleton received an RHS Gold standard at the North West in Bloom awards on Thursday – but there was no opportunity for the group to rest on its laurels! Three days later the volunteers were back out planting up winter tubs, as part of the 2012 In Bloom campaign!
Leader of the Town Council Councillor Bob Edwards, Town Clerk Brian Hogan and long-term In Bloom promoter and Chair of the Congleton Partnership Margaret Williamson attended the North West in Bloom award ceremony in Southport and accepted the award on behalf of the town.
Bob Edwards said: “RHS Gold is a really hard standard to achieve – and we are absolutely delighted that the judges have awarded it to Congleton. It reflects the hard work of Cheshire East Streetscape and Grounds Maintenance teams, the Town Council handymen and a whole army of volunteers that have helped plant, weed, litter pick and through various actions – including Bearmania – have taken a real pride in their community this year. The trick is now to maintain this high level and we will be calling on all those who love Congleton to help us maintain gold!”
Councillor Edwards also thanked Margaret Williamson for the mammoth amount of blood, sweat and tears that she has put into Congleton in Bloom over the past 12 years. Margaret will now step down from the ‘physical’ side of In Bloom, but will continue to offer advice and moral support. He warned that we will need several people to fill Margaret’s shoes, and the Town Council is anxious to speak to any group, organisation or individual who is willing to help in anyway.
Work has already started on the Gold Campaign for 2012 – with around 20 volunteers planting up winter tubs in the polytunnel in Congleton Park last Saturday. Winter tubs are a new initiative, designed to help brighten the town from November until April. They will be replaced with the children’s tubs in May.
For further information contact Jackie MacArthur on 01260 270350
