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Blooming hat trick for borough

Emilene Coventry
31/10/2007

TAMESIDE’S gardeners are blooming marvellous – it’s official.

For the third year running, the borough has scooped top prize in the North West In Bloom competition.

Tameside won first place in the large city/metropolitan borough category at the awards held in Manchester.

With the dismal weather this year it was an even bigger challenge to get the borough looking its best, and Tameside Council staff, community groups, schools, residents and businesses all worked extra hard to spruce up the streets.

As well the top prize, the borough won the Cleansweep award for cleanest streets and received a special commendation for Stamford Park, with judges praising "magnificent bedding under difficult conditions".

Not only that, Central Estate in Dukinfield received a Certificate of Merit and Brushes Estate in Stalybridge won a Certificate of Commendation at the North West in Bloom Neighbourhood and Community awards.

Sport and leisure chief Councillor Dave Sweeton said: "We’re delighted that Tameside has scooped the North West Britain in Bloom award for the third year running. We were battling against the elements this year and I’d like to thank everyone involved with Tameside in Bloom for playing their part in making the borough an attractive place to live and work."

Tameside will now represent the north west region in the national Britain in Bloom competition next year.

In 2006 the borough earned its first-ever place in the national competition and was a runner-up in its category.