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Blooming lovely day for top judges

20/ 8/2008

GLORIOUS sunshine was a good omen when the day of judgement finally came for Tameside’s In Bloom bid.

The borough is hoping to scoop the top gong for best city category in the Britain in Bloom awards.

Royal Horticultural Society judges scoured the borough on their final tour, starting at Stamford Park and ending at the Park Bridge Heritage Centre.

Everyone who took part in the bid, including Tameside Council workers and community groups, gathered on Thursday to celebrate the end of a year of hard work.

A relieved Mark Porter, head gardener at Stamford Park, said: "I don’t think we could have done it any better."

And Councillor Dave Sweeton, head of Tameside’s In Bloom bid, said he reckoned the borough’s chances were excellent.

"I think as always they are very, very good because all the elements of a successful bid are there. On the day you can only hope for good weather and no catastrophes," he said.

It wasn’t just the fantastic floral displays Roger Burnett and Rae Beckwith were judging – they were also on the look out for evidence of community involvement, clean streets and sustainable planting.

Councillor Sweeton added: "There was very good community involvement. If that’s what they’re looking for, we have it in abundance."

Mr Burnett told the assembled crowd: "Because you’ve got to this stage you’re already a winner. You’ve already proved you’re one of the best in Britain. That’s an important thing to remember when you go back out into the community. It’s communities that make In Bloom, as well as flowers and we’ve seen today a community that’s growing together."

Tameside must now wait until the winners are announced at the Britain in Bloom awards in September.