WILMSLOW has won the honour of representing the north west in next year’s national In Bloom finals together with a fifth gold medal and two additional trophies.

At an awards ceremony on Friday Wilmslow was awarded trophies as the Pride of East Cheshire and as the best Large Town in the North West. In addition, the RHS judged the town the Community Champion of the area.

Ruth McNulty, chairman of Wilmslow In Bloom said: “I am very pleased and proud that the judges have given us the accolade – and the responsibility – of representing the north west in next year’s national finals.

“2018 was not without its challenges, but many people gave willingly of their time and expertise to help keep planting fresh. Very many thanks to everyone who contributed.”

During the awards ceremony the previous day, volunteer groups in the town received seven awards in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ category.

Ruth added: “The Gardening Club at the United Reformed Church were accredited with a ‘Thriving’ award for their activities around the church and impressed the judges with their innovative use of hanging baskets made from plastic milk containers.

“All other six entrants were judged ‘Outstanding’ – equivalent to a Gold award.

“Chapel Lane Business Group have made a significant difference to their community without incurring a significant cost but rather by a collective effort by businesses and residents to use attractive planting to add colour and to tidy and clear unwanted weeds and overgrowth.

“Friends of the Carrs have worked innovatively to help stabilise the banks of the River Bollin and to introduce more pollinating plants. “Incredible Edible, under the direction of Helen Yates, has helped ensure previously drab beds have blossomed.

“Her work around the Leisure Centre has become a talking point for beds previously vandalised.

“The tomato crops grown here were harvested in September, made into chutney and sold to raise funds for the support of the clients at the Lifestyle Centre, who had worked during the summer to irrigate the parched beds.

“The fascination of Lindow Common and the work done to preserve its character was recognised, as was the commitment of the Rotary Club in Dean Row in planting and maintaining the rose beds in the Memorial Gardens.

“Lastly, the orchard and vegetable beds, planted and maintained by volunteers under the direction of Garry Olsen from Transition Wilmslow have again impressed the judges.

“The Brewhouse again won a gold, bringing the total tally of awards and trophies to 12 for the town.”