We have achieved the ultimate goal that our PIER volunteers have been working towards… the ‘Level 5 Outstanding’ In Bloom Award!
On Thursday 4 November 2021, we attended the RHS North West In Bloom Awards for Rochdale, Middleton and Heywood at Rochdale Riverside where we were awarded the highest possible level in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ awards category for our allotment PIER.
The In Bloom Awards are a celebration and recognition of community gardening and the impact that horticulture has on the people, communities and environment. People up and down the country enter to showcase their achievements.
This was our fourth year attending the awards, and our volunteers have worked year round each time to prepare for the judging which takes place in August; focusing all their energy, even in the depths of winter in hopes for the top score of a Level 5 - so it means a lot to them that they have finally achieved it!
Judging considers various criteria including community engagement, horticultural skill and environmental impact and we were pleased they were impressed by our work around social prescribing.
It was a very proud moment when In Bloom Chair Bernard Pendleton presented our volunteers Ken and Nathan, Service Manager Rachael and Engagement & Development Worker Roy with our award.
PIER volunteer Nathan, who is taking part in our Project 5 training offer said: “Level 5 means just a lot for us really, because we got Level 4 twice and we’ve put a lot of work into getting Level 5 Outstanding. And just basically to come on here [at PIER] and just get everything done, it’s just been amazing.”
Rachael Bennion, Service Manager at Petrus, said: “This is top marks for a top team! Just look at the photos of us accepting the award, you can see the pride on Ken and Nathan’s faces. That’s what it’s all about for us.
“It’s so great to have received this as it is recognition of the hard work that our volunteers do year round, rain or shine, and scoring a Level 5 is the highest level of achievement showing the quality of the work we do at PIER as a community horticulture project.”
After the North West In Bloom Awards were cancelled this year, the team at Rochdale In Bloom went ahead to host their own to celebrate success within the local area and we’re glad they did.
Rachael added: “Attending the awards not only provides a huge sense of achievement but also connects our service users to other volunteers and groups in the borough and from across the northwest which leaves us feeling inspired by the enormous impact that horticulture has in our communities.”
Ken and Nathan also got the chance to meet The Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Aasim Rashid and posed for a photo together with their award.
A spokesperson from Rochdale In Bloom said: “Petrus has been on our awards route for many years and for it to have won a Level 5 after the disruption of a pandemic, well the applause could be heard on Rochdale's borders! Huge well done to the team.”
We want to say congratulations to all of this year’s winners – together we’re creating wonderful green spaces for our community to grow and flourish and showcasing the spirit of Rochdale.
A massive well done to our PIER volunteers and staff – what an amazing achievement following our success at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2021 earlier in the year!
They are now planning what they want to showcase for the allotment during next year’s judging and preparing activities for the Gaia Festival focused on the need for climate action… so watch this (green) space.