Our In Bloom awards
We have 5 townships that all enter the North West In Bloom competition. These townships are Rochdale North, Rochdale South, Heywood, Middleton and Pennines (Firgrove, Littleborough, Milnrow, Newhey, Smallbridge and Wardle).
The finalists from the North West In Bloom competition get entered into Britain In Bloom awards, which is the most prestigious horticultural competition in the country.
In Bloom awards
All our township areas have won several North West In Bloom awards.
2024: Gold Medals for all our Townships at North West In Bloom. We were delighted that Rochdale was entered into the National Britain In Bloom competition again to represent the North West, receiving a Gold award in the Town Centre and City Centre category, ranking highly against London’s Canary Wharf, Dorset’s Shaftesbury, and Farnham in Surrey.
2023: as well as Gold Medals for all our townships at North West In Bloom, Heywood Town Centre scoops Best Town Centre in the North West Award.
2022: Gold Medals for all our Townships at North West In Bloom and we were delighted to be entered into the National In Bloom Competition again to represent the North West, receiving a Gold award in the Best Small City Category. Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) judges voted Rochdale as the best small city in the UK, beating off stiff competition from the likes of Bath and Canterbury.
2021: Gold Medals for all our townships at North West In Bloom and Rochdale scoops Best Town Centre in the North West award.
2018: first year we were chosen to represent the North West at the National In Bloom competition. Rochdale scooped Gold Medal Award at first attempt.
2016: achieved our first North West in Bloom Gold Medal Awards.
2011: In Bloom community groups set up and have been working in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council since then to continually grow our In Bloom project.
In Bloom entries
We work with communities in all 5 Townships in our blossoming borough to brighten up neighbourhoods and create these scenic and inspiring flower displays. We have a big part to play in the environmental quality of the entries. As well as our floral displays we also have to ensure streets are free of weeds, litter and graffiti, as well as high quality grass cutting, shrub, hedge and tree maintenance, countryside and biodiversity projects and a commitment to sustainability such as our peat-free growing of plants and tree planting programmes.
The competition isn't just about what we can do as a council. This is a community-led project with massive support from scores of community organisations and businesses small and large who submit their own schemes to the In Bloom “In Your Neighbourhood entry” as well as contributing to the main Town entries. This shows the pride many businesses and residents have in their local area. In 2023 there were 105 community and business entries to North West In Bloom. In Bloom judges say every year that what sets us apart from the competition is the sheer scale of the wider community engagement and the strength of the partnership with the council.
If you want to be part of this journey, just do a web search for Heywood, Middleton, Pennines or Rochdale in Bloom. You can also contact the council’s Environmental Management Service using the details on this page.
Some of the borough's In Bloom entries have included:
- Wild flower gardens
- Orchards
- Green play areas
- War memorials
- Pop-up displays
A floral display on Baillie Street in Rochdale town centre.