ALTRINCHAM played host to judges in the Britain in Bloom competition, as it bids for a national award in the prestigious environmental competition.

Having attained three consecutive regional Gold awards, Altrincham In Bloom is now one of seven ‘Large Town’ finalists in the UK.

It is vying for a prestigious Gold award and competing for the title of ‘Best Large Town’ in this year’s Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom.

On August 3, RHS judges Nigel Bishop and Kim Parish visited Altrincham and were shown round a selection of voluntary projects.

These included the Four Seasons Walkway, the Living Wall, the ‘Food for Thought’ at Shaw’s Green and the Pretty Wild Reservation.

They also visited King George V Pool, Denzell Gardens and the Devisdale and the Stamford Quarter Shopping Centre.

Altrincham In Bloom’s national entry is assessed across three key criteria: horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility.

Sarah Walmsley, project coordinator of Altrincham In Bloom said: “I think there’s a misconception about the Britain In Bloom competition because of its name. It suggests a floral focus and, of course, horticulture is at the root of the transformational change that volunteers are bringing to Altrincham.

"However, we are assessed across a wide range of issues which affect how our town looks, feels and operates. Success hinges on a joined-up approach, working closely with our partners Trafford Council, One Trafford and Altrincham Unlimited and pulling together to achieve positive results.

“To be nominated in the national competition is a huge honour because it means that Altrincham is already seen as one of the cleanest, greenest and most beautiful places in the UK.

"We have put more than 1200 volunteer hours into our town during the past year and it is therefore gratifying to receive this recognition. We really enjoyed showing Nigel and Kim around our current projects which are in varying degrees of development. They also saw the town’s first tranche of railing and lamp post planters which we hope to expand upon in the coming year. Now we wait with baited breath to hear what they thought!”

Each finalist will be awarded a Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver or Bronze medal when the results are announced at the Britain in Bloom awards ceremony in Llandudno, North Wales on the evening of 27 October 2017.

Britain in Bloom is the UK’s biggest community gardening campaign – up to 300,000 volunteers are involved in transforming our villages, towns and cities into greener and more pleasant places to live.