Rochdale Township in Bloom 2010
Many people were involved in the Rochdale Township in Bloom entry into the North West in Bloom 2010 competition. Voluntary groups, residents, schools, employees from the Council’s Environmental Management Service and individual companies showcased the work they had done to create and maintain environmental improvements that would benefit the local community and visitors.
The route taken by the North in Bloom judges in 2010 incorporated a wide range of environmental projects taking place in the Rochdale Township:
Albert Royds Street Roundabout
Kellett Street Allotments
Nile Street Urban Regeneration Sites
Falinge Flats Community Gardening Project
Crimble Wood
King Street East Play Scheme
Packer Spout
Broadfield Park
Rochdale Memorial Gardens
Rochdale Town Hall
The diversity of the sites selected for the judging route is evident when comparing the wildflower meadows on Nile Street and the Victorian splendor of Broadfield Park.
Nile Street Urban Regeneration Sites
Nile Street wildflower meadows were created to keep the urban neighbourhood of Wardleworth looking tidy and attractive until building work gets underway. Tonnes of sandy soil was brought on site to create a fertile ground for the many varieties of wildflowers. Close to the river 250 new small trees were planted together with buddleia shrubs, a favourite with butterflies. These trees were chosen so that when building work commenced, they can easily and safely be moved to other locations in the area. This work was important in encouraging local people to look after their neighbourhood and increase confidence in the transformation of their area.
Broadfield Park Broadfield Park is the oldest park in the borough of great historical interest and a valuable area of green space in the centre of Rochdale. Opened in the early 1870s, the park has many historical Victorian features that can still be enjoyed today. The Broadfield Park restoration project began in 2003 thanks to a 1.1 million pound grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. A recent project completed in the park was the renovation of the Dialect Writers’ Memorial that honours local poets Edwin Waugh, Oliver Ormerod, John Trafford Clegg and Margaret Rebecca Lahee.
Rochdale Township in Bloom Steering Group were proud to be awarded the silver award in the Best Large Town/City Category of North West in Bloom 2010.