RHS judges visited Alderley Edge today to see all the hard work volunteers have put into the village's inaugural North West In Bloom entry and they provided some very encouraging feedback.
Guided by Councillor Christine Munro, Steve Taggart and Councillor Craig Browne the judges visited started their tour at Aldeli which is full of colour before heading to the cenotaph and then community conservation and environmental area at Alderley Edge Community Primary School where they learnt how the children use and interact with the area.
From there they were taken to The Edge where Countryside Manager Chris Widger gave them an overview of the maintenance and management of the woodland expanse.
Mel Kirby and Russ Baguley were then taken to Peter Woollam's organic garden on Hough Lane, which Mel Kirby described as one of the best gardens he has ever been round , Emerson's head office, the Festival Hall, Heyes Lane allotments and Granthams.
The tour ended at the station car park where the judges were told about their first project of cleaning, cutting back weeds and planting plus future plans to create a community garden on a piece of land which is being gifted to them by Network Rail. Before heading back to Aldeli for homemade scones and tea.
After thanking all the volunteers, Councillor Craig Browne told me "We've entered this year as an opportunity to have an Ofsted report and to get some guidance and feedback.
"It's a very early stage for us. With the planters and flowerbeds this year we have kickstarted it and hopefully it will grow and as people notice something is happening they will see the impact it is having and will be enthused to get involved and help as volunteers."
Speaking during afternoon tea judge Mel Kirby said "You are going to get an award, that's quite obvious. You will get an invite to the RHS awards in October."
He added "I can't think of anything I am going to put in (the report) just prompts for you to guide you through for next year. As Craig said, you've tried to make an improvement in Alderley Edge - you have.
"For a first time entry I'm very very impressed."
Judge Russ Baguley added "You have a very clean area, immaculate. You've got no worried you've done a fantastic job."
Steve Taggart said "Overall is has been very very good so I think we can all be quite proud of it."
The results will be announced during an all day event at Southport Convention Centre on 30th October where representatives from Alderley Edge will be invited to attend.
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