Norden Jubilee Park going for gold once again in RHS In Bloom contest

Date published: 16 May 2019

With just weeks to go until the 2019 RHS Britain In Bloom contest, Norden’s Jubilee Park is gearing up for another gold award.

Last summer, the small park was awarded the highest national standard of gold by judges – and the volunteers who keep it looking tidy are keen to retain their prestigious status.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/123207/norden-jubilee-park-enjoys-national-rhs-britain-in-bloom-success

The park was just one of four in the UK to be awarded a national certificate of distinction for the best ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ parks award, a Level 5 Outstanding, as well as a gold for the Pocket Park category, the only gold for the borough's parks, improving on 2017’s entry success of a silver gilt.

Volunteers spent Sunday (12 May) tidying the green space, weeding and cutting back the plants ahead of the big judging day on 22 July, in addition to sprucing up the Norden rockery.

Chairman of the Friends of Norden Jubilee Park, Paul Ellison said: “With only a few weeks to go until judging commences, we wanted to get a head start on places in the village looking their absolute best.

“Rochdale In Bloom will be out over the coming weeks checking places on the route to ensure we can do as well as we possible can. We plan to maintain the church edge, war memorial and other key areas in Norden before July so we can retain our gold awards.”

Since 1964, the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom is one of the most effective, and longest running environmental competitions in the UK, with communities demonstrating their ability to create and maintain attractive environments that benefit all.

Anyone wishing to help out in the coming weeks is welcome to contact Paul on: 07522 398 784.

The next volunteer day takes place on Saturday 25 May, meeting at 10am at Norden Jubilee Park.