Community

Stronger Local Connections

We have been successful in building stronger local connections and have welcomed over 50 ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ teams and countless new volunteers to the fold. The passion shown by our core Rochdale in Bloom team is infectious and the projects we’ve developed have succeeded in tugging on community heart strings, bringing in a wealth of new support. The surge in interest has brought new challenges for our team, but one which we relish.

We have continued to strengthen local connections, welcoming an increasing number of It’s Your Neighbourhood groups and new volunteers into Rochdale in Bloom. The commitment and enthusiasm of our core team has proved highly influential, with projects that resonate strongly within the community and successfully encourage wider participation. The growth in interest has brought new challenges, which are viewed positively as an indication of increasing community pride and engagement.

Volunteer groups involved in Rochdale in Bloom represent a broad cross-section of society, bringing people together regardless of age, background or belief. This inclusive approach has supported the delivery of vibrant planting schemes across the borough and has inspired further community-led investment in the local environment.

Improving the look of areas

Hundreds of young students from five Castleton schools have been introduced to planting at Castleton Railway Station while Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme and National Citizenship Service participants took part in projects at Roch Valley Outdoor Learning Centre and Norden Jubilee Park. These activities not only improve the look of an area, by participating they also instil a sense of pride and enduring respect for our open space.

School Mentoring

Three Norden primary schools have benefited from mentoring by the enthusiasts at Moss Row Community Allotments and children at St Edwards School, Castleton have learned how to host a huge poly-tunnel in their school grounds. The poly-tunnels house rare and protected aquatic plant species including luronium natans. This project is in association with the Canals and Rivers Trust.

Residents in Norden, Spotland, Castleton and the town centre turned out in force for our largest ever Keep Britain Tidy Spring Clean to tidy-up grot spots and cleanse the local environment. Central areas of Rochdale also benefit from weekly clean-ups by the multi-faith Rochdale Environmental Action Group (REAG).

Business Support

We are fortunate to have gained and maintained strong links with local and national businesses since 2010.

Sponsors H Bell & Sons have provided financial support, materials and expertise. The moving of the pop-up garden in the town centre and the new flagging around the Castleton War Memorial are clear examples of what their support facilitates.

The Co-op have provided funds that allowed us to bring colour to Castleton Railway as well as other areas along the route.

Gordon Rigg Garden Centres have provided plants for the Wonderwall, while Crown Oil, sponsors of Rochdale AFC, have added goal posts to the display.