For the first time, Alderley Edge has entered the North West in Bloom competition to show off its achievements in environmental responsibility, community participation and horticulture.
Over the last few weeks a group of volunteers, including members of the Parish Council, have been working hard to tidy up the village and plant flowers in preparation for the judges visit on Friday, 29th July.
The judges will be given a tour of Alderley Edge taking in the new wood planters and trellis beside the station car park as well as the new planters on London Road, Heyes Lane and Wood Gardens and the new flowerbeds in the park.
The Britain in Bloom judges will be in Alderley Edge on Friday from around lunchtime, finishing at Aldeli at 3.30pm. Christine Munro, the main organizer of the project is keen for as many local people as possible to meet them, saying "Do come along if you would like to talk to the judges. It's not just about the flowers. The judges are also interested to learn about the community."
Ward councillor Craig Browne and parish councillors Geoff Hall, Ruth Norbury have also been involved in the project with Christine Munro.
She aded "What has been great has been to see how the number of people involved has grown. We started with just a handful of people, but 20 people turned out to help with the planters at the station this week. And Geoff Hall and I even got a hug of gratitude from a local resident while we were unloading the planters!"
Craig Browne has been getting sponsorship for beds in the park and introducing new beds and planters. He said "One of the first things we did as newly elected councillors last year was to put new bedding plants in the planters on the London Road, " he said. "Since then we have worked hard to improve things further and we plan to do a lot more, with the support of the community."
One of the other Britain in Bloom organisers, Steve Taggart explained that the group only took the decision to apply for Britain in Bloom a few months ago. He said "We knew of course that we were starting very late. That meant we would not have enough time to achieve everything that we would like. But this year is all about learning for next year."
Christine is optimistic about the future for the project, saying "We have had so much support from residents and local businesses that I am confident we can do even better next year."
