RHS judges visited Alderley Edge this to see all the hard work volunteers have put into the village's second North West In Bloom entry.
Guided by Leslie Cox, the Chairman of our Britain in Bloom team, Councillor Christine Munro and Councillor Craig Browne the judges visited started their tour at Aldeli.
Judges Mel Kirby and Julie Norman were then taken to see the new dementia garden at Brookview Care Home where they were shown round by Richard Beswick.
The tour continued o Alderley Edge School for Girls where teacher Nigel Garfield took them round the raised vegetable beds, bug houses and bird houses in the junior school.
Councillor Christine Munro said "They were so impressed with the work Nigel and the girls had done that they said they would be putting them in for a special award."
Afterwards they met Helen Yates and some of the young children at Ryleys School and Helen told the judges about all the work the school were doing for Britain in Bloom.
Councillor Craig Browne showed the judges around the park where they were many improvements since last year and then through the allotments and up Chorley Hall Lane where they met Bev Chapman and Geoff Hall on London Road.
Christine Munro added "Martin McIllwraith and his wife took the judges around the garden beds and new planters at the railway station which are looking well established and full of colour.
"The judges then asked if we could take them to Castle Rock before we took them for afternoon tea at Aldeli."
She added "Mel Kirby thanked us for showing them around the village and said how impressed they were with the cleanliness and high standard of maintenance. He said that he had noticed that as we had walked around I had surreptitiously been picking up the odd piece of litter and he had counted I had collected 8 pieces.
"Considering the length of the route it was amazing that was all the litter I had found. I thought he hadn't noticed but obviously he has eyes in the back of his head!!"
Councillor Craig Browne said "It was a pleasure to welcome the judges to Alderley Edge once again. They complimented us on the appearance and cleanliness of the village, as well as the improvements on London Road since last year's visit.
"The judges were particularly impressed with the Chorley Hall Lane allotments and commented on the real sense of community there. We are delighted that the allotments are to be given a separate award this year."
The Alderley Edge in Bloom team now have to wait until the awards are presented in Southport on 3rd November to see what they have won.
Councillor Christine Munro added "It was a great day.
"We're still keeping our fingers crossed.
"Thank you to everyone who took part in the visit and have helped to make such a difference to our village."
Comments
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Geoff
But there was no luck involved in all the hard work that has gone into getting the village looking so good with the new planters and litter picking.
I hope we get gold this year. The village has never looked so good and my thanks to all involved.