Best newcomer Norden lands gold in very first standalone entry into North West in Bloom competition

Date published: 05 November 2021

The village of Norden has landed a gold award plus the title of best newcomer in this year’s North West in Bloom competition.

Norden in Bloom, which entered as a stand-alone village for the very first time this year, captivated visiting judges claiming a ‘best newcomer’ award and a gold medal for ‘large village’, which can only mean bigger things to come for 2022.

Read more: Norden welcomes North West In Bloom judges for its first standalone entryPublished: 16 August 2021
A new Britain in Bloom entry for NordenPublished: 09 August 2021

Thirteen sites were visited on judging day in the summer: Owd Betts, Ashworth Valley, St James’ Chapel, a private garden, Taylor Park, Norden Rockery, the Norden War Memorial, the village, Norden Bowling Club, Moss Row Community Allotments, Moss Row Woodland, the award-winning Norden Jubilee Park and Nutter’s Restaurant.

The group was presented with their win by Bernard Pendleton, chairman of North West in Bloom at a special awards ceremony at Number One Riverside, Rochdale on Thursday 4 November. 

Paul Ellison, of Norden in Bloom, said: “I’m speechless; to come out with not only gold but best newcomer as well for a brand-new entry is unheard of, especially when you consider we had Covid to contend with too.  

“We couldn’t have done it without the great team we created for Norden in Bloom and everyone working tirelessly to make this happen. I would also like to thank our sponsors and special recognition to our partner, Rochdale Borough Council, which came on board despite this being a new entry.”

This year, Norden in Bloom’s sponsors and partners included H Bell and Sons, Amber Pets, Rochdale Borough Council, NEEVA (Norden Environmental and Economic Village Association) and Firefly Security.

Judges were treated to a wonderous wildflower display at the bowling green, beautiful large planters at Taylor Park, lovingly-tended grounds at St James’ and the colourful Norden Rockery, whilst the Moss Row allotments benefited from a wildlife area and pond with a adjacent community orchard planted by Whittaker Moss Primary School

Contributing to this year’s In Bloom efforts, the Norden Environmental and Economic Village Association (NEEVA) became the first community group to adopt the council’s saddle planters in Norden, which will be looked after by volunteers until the end of 2021.

Other projects discussed on judging day included the annual Keep Britain Tidy Great British Spring Clean – when approximately 50 volunteers cleared 100 bags of rubbish from across Norden village, Greenbooth, Ashworth, Birtle, Rooley Moor and Caldershaw – as well as the problem of fly tipping in Ashworth Valley and the installation of five CCTV cameras throughout the valley to help curb it, plus the trees planted during lockdown.

Read more: Volunteers spring into action and spruce up Norden for fifth Great British Spring CleanPublished: 01 June 2021
We’re watching you! CCTV installed in Ashworth ValleyPublished: 27 October 2020