A big thank you from the Leader of the Council

Queens Park Fountain, Heywood

What a way to end Love Parks Week.

Eight of the borough's parks have been awarded Green Flags - the international award recognising the highest standards of quality and visitor facilities. Only parks which are "beautifully maintained" qualify.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/111386/eight-parks-and-green-spaces-receive-green-flag-award

It's our best ever tally and congratulations to Jubilee Park in Middleton and Heywood's Hopwood Park which have been awarded a Green Flag for the first time.

They join Rochdale Town Centre Parks, Queen's Park, Heywood and Littleborough's Hare Hill Park who have notched up a decade of Green Flag accolades.

They are closely followed by Milnrow Memorial Park, Middleton Cemetery and Truffet Park on Langley which have again been successful in retaining their Green Flag status.

None of this would be possible without the hard work and professionalism of the council's gardeners who toil in all weathers to turn our parks into wonderful places.

Our Green Flag successes would not happen without the many Friends' groups and scores of volunteers who help make our parks such special places.

Rochdale Council, despite budget pressures, is investing an extra £1.5million every year improving our environment. It is money well spent. A clean and green borough does wonders for a sense of wellbeing, pride of place and is also important in attracting new investment to the area.

Next up is Britain in Bloom.

Hundreds of volunteers - young and old residents, shops and businesses - in every township are working incredibly hard alongside council staff to make our borough sparkle ahead of crucial judging taking place this week in Middleton and Heywood and in early August for Rochdale and the Pennines.

An amazing 200,000 flowers have been planted to brighten up our borough.

We are hoping to improve on our record haul of the 28 In Bloom gongs we notched up last year.

Everyone can play their part.

Use the litter bins (the council has provided an extra 150 bins this year); look at ways you can spruce up your premises and street and help keep the area around where you live clean and tidy.

A big thank you from all the councillors to everyone who has helped transform the appearance of our borough. It's never looked smarter. We couldn't have done it without you.

Richard Farnell
Leader of Rochdale Council