Judges from the North West in Bloom Awards have visited Northwich to take a look at the projects and initiatives that have come to fruition within the last few months.
On Tuesday 30th July, volunteers and representatives from the Northwich Business Improvement District (BID), Northwich Town Council, Love my River Northwich and Grozone Community Garden showed the judges around the town centre and also took them to a number of locations in the wider Northwich area.
First up was a visit to Kingsmead Primary School where children and staff members were on hand to show judges their eco and wildlife friendly grounds and kitchen garden, before making the trip to Anderton Place for a look at the newly built raised bed planter that residents have created as part of the Grozone-run Brightlife Project.
The group continued on to Groundwork’s offices for a look at the floating riverbed habitats that have been installed there and this was followed by tours of Queensgate Allotments and the Castle Community Centre.
The Castle Community Centre was of particular interest as this is the location of a Rainwater garden designed by Love my River Northwich to demonstrate ‘Wise ways with water’ which is the Royal Horticultural Society’s theme for 2019.
Judges were then taken around the centre of Northwich and shown all of the planting initiatives that have been taking place since last year’s entry.
Visits were paid to both Verdin and Vickersway Park, the cemetery at St Helen’s Church and Grozone Community Gardens, the latter entered for an ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ Award and hoping to retain the Outstanding score received last year. Members of the North West in Bloom awards team also had time to meet several business owners in the town and look at their comprehensive floral displays.
The partnership working between the Northwich BID and Northwich Town Council was also highlighted with a particular focus on the planters and hanging baskets that bring colour and vibrancy to Northwich throughout the year.
Finally, the Northwich in Bloom team showed the visitors the Butterfly Garden and Buddleia Collection at the Lion Salt Works and also the Transition Streets Project which has been delivered as part of Transition Northwich.
The judges, who were given a portfolio detailing all of the work that has been undertaken by Northwich in Bloom over the past year, will deliver their verdict later in the year at an official awards ceremony.
Northwich will be aiming to go one better after achieving the Silver Gilt in 2018 which was the town’s first entry into the competition.
Keep up-to-date with the town’s entry by liking the Visit Northwich Facebook page.
