Bury scoops top prize at North West In Bloom Awards

Date published: 14/10/2008

Bury has been crowned North West in Bloom ‘best large town’ in the 2008 Royal Horticultural Society awards for the fifth year in a row.
The news that Bury had won first place was revealed on 7 October at a prestigious award ceremony held at Liverpool Arena involving 550 guests. The event was an important part of the Capital of Culture celebrations.
As well as scooping the top prize, Bury was nominated to represent the region in the 2009 national Britain in Bloom finals and was privileged to receive ‘The Clean Sweep’ award, a discretionary prize given to the town that displayed exceptional tidiness and cleanliness throughout the judging area.
The North West in Bloom contest has been measuring entries against extremely high standards for floral displays, permanent planting, sustainable development and environmental quality since its inauguration in 1964 and Bury has sustained its winning stance in the annual event since 2004.
Brendan Cook, North West in Bloom judge said” I was very impressed with Bury, its standard reflected everything that is good about the competition. The Council as a whole has taken on board the general principles, not just for NW in Bloom, but the whole tidiness of the environment in the borough. These things have become the norm as against just happening once a year. Therefore, Bury will continue to be at the forefront of the competition”.
Neil Long, Assistant Director of Leisure Services said “Bury in Bloom is an all round community effort which continues to bring merit to our town. This brilliant result shows yet again what a great team effort can achieve.”
Councillor Dorothy Gunther, Executive Member for Environment and Transport said “Achieving this distinction for five years in a row is an exceptional accomplishment for Bury and I would like to express my personal thanks to everyone involved for their hard work. In particular I wish to commend those residents, schools and businesses that have committed to the Bury street care pledge campaign and are doing their bit to help keep Bury clean, tidy and litter-free for the benefit of us all.”
The Bury street care pledge campaign is all about looking after our environment, reducing litter and promoting recycling as well as making Bury a cleaner, safer, greener place for all who live here, work here and visit the Borough. Any resident, school or business wanting to take the pledge can do so online at www.bury.gov.uk/pledge or by telephoning 0161 253 6603.
Bury in Bloom is a year-round initiative and Bury Council will be pleased to hear from residents, businesses or community groups that want to participate. Phone 0161 253 5266 or go to www.bury.gov.uk/bury/buryinbloom for more information.