Tottington Civic Pride were one of hundreds of entrants throughout the region to gather on November 5 to hear the results of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Community Gardening North West in Bloom ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ awards at Toughsheet Community Stadium in Bolton.
The gardens are ranked by ‘levels’, with five being ‘outstanding’, awarded to groups that go ‘above and beyond’ and one given to those who are ‘just starting out’.
Judges came to visit their gardens in late July, and the group of 13 volunteers received an incredible ‘outstanding’ rating from the judges for their gardening efforts.
Tottington Civic Pride, who were recognised at regional gardening awards (Image: Yvonne Wright)
Yvonne Wright, chair of the group and local councillor, said: “We have worked very hard to improve the public gardens in Tottington over the past two years and we couldn’t be happier.
“We’ve worked tirelessly. We were overjoyed, we’re absolutely thrilled with the award, and we’re working now on spring bulbs and Christmas displays, decorating trees with baubles.
“We’re doing all sorts of things to make Tottington even more beautiful.
“It means everything to us, and it spurs us on to make even more improvements and even more beautiful gardens and displays next year.”
The gardens the volunteers in Tottington work tirelessly on (Image: Yvonne Wright)
The group formed in the summer of 2023, initially banding together to weed pavements and footpaths in the local area, but after a generous donation of plants, they became gardeners overnight.
Now, two and a half years later, they meet at least once a week to work on the public gardens in Tottington, such as Birdbox gardens, Bee gardens, Wesley Street gardens, Helen’s gardens, Quirky corner and Carmello’s gardens.
They have also worked with a local school to plant poppies in their Memorial garden and educate children about Remembrance Day.
Member Chris Hall said: “We enjoy improving the gardens and residents are very appreciative and to be placed in the Outstanding category is what we hoped for, and we are now planning on how we can improve the gardens in Tottington next year.“
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