Rawtenstall in Bloom

The North West Royal Horticultural Society awards have finally been announced. Lynn Smith, the Chair of Civic Pride Rossendale said: “ It has been a really long wait from the end of July till the end of October for our results but we are all delighted that the work all our volunteers, supporters and sponsors has been recognised with a GOLD”.

Civic Pride Rossendale are pleased to announce that they have received the top Gold award for “Rawtenstall in Bloom” in the RHS Britain in Bloom large town category. This will be the 3rd year in a row that a GOLD has been awarded to the town and it is a huge achievement . It was a very emotional time for Lynn Smith at the award ceremony. She was a little overcome to receive this top award again as it means so much to her as Chair of CPR . This award recognises not only the horticultural achievements of the CPR volunteers but also for the environmental work and community engagement.

Sparrow Park located by Rawtenstall Library also received the top Gold award for a second year. This lovely Green Flag accredited park has been developed by two amazing volunteers, Susan & Allan White, with the help of Jan Czugalinski. This year Jan created the new rockery at the front of Sparrow Park, assisted by Rossendale Borough Council. There were a few moments of anxiety just before their category was announced. A judge came across to Susan and Allan saying they had lost the award certificate and apologised because they would have to have a blank one! Fortunately a few minutes later he had searched and found the right one to be presented.

Other top Level 5 individual Garden Awards were given The Embankment opposite Asda ( group garden), the Inbound layby (group garden ) and the Three Pines bed by the East Lancashire Railway station which has been developed and maintained by Jan Czugalinski and Shellie Thompson.

Rossendale Youth Zone, who work closely with CPR, were really pleased to not only receive a Level 5 outstanding for their small garden on Burnley Road at the front of the Zone but also a Discretionary award, “Gardening with Youth People”. This is a wonderful recognition of their work and enthusiasm.

The Friends of Whittaker Park were delighted to receive the level 4 Thriving award for their work at the front of the Park, as were the two secret gardeners Mike Allen and Samantha Clarke. They received the same award for their work on the flower bed just in front of Reeds Rain on Bank Street.

Janet Allcock, the Publicity officer for CPR, said “ We were really thrilled to receive these incredible awards. We are also delighted that other groups in Rossendale had also entered the RHS competition. Bacup Pride have done amazingly well and the Friends of Helmshore Museum received their first award. It’s amazing how many categories groups can enter.”

Lynn Smith thanks everyone who has supported CIvic Pride Rossendale this year in whatever way, be it as a volunteer gardener, litter picker, local school, Rossendale Borough Counci,, local businesses,sponsors, and the community as a whole, for making such a difference to the area.