Bloomin' Atherton

Atherton is leading the way in the race to 'green up' the borough.

The community garden at Dorset Road community centre has received the first prize (£50) recognition award in Wigan & Leigh Housing's 'Borough in Bloom' competition, a competition open to amateur gardeners on council estates across the borough. 

And in the same competition, Hag Fold neighbours Gill Gibbons and Irene Berry, both of Milton Close, have been recognised for their efforts to transform an area of land at the back of their homes. Groundwork Wigan & Chorley landscaped the area after demolition work by Wigan & Leigh Housing in Poet's Corner, and single regeneration (SRB5) funding paid for fencing and trees. Irene and Gill then added their own colourful flair in the form of planting and decoration. 

Irene won best overall garden in Atherton, were the judges were looking for an attractive garden design with a colourful display of plants that made the best use of the garden available. She also won second prize in the recognition awards, which acknowledge residents whose efforts to improve theirs - or somebody else's - garden, has improved an estate.  Irene now goes through to the borough final, with a chance to win the top prize of £200.

Irene said:

"The funding from SRB5 gave us and our neighbours the basic foundations, the trees and the fencing, so that we could create something from nothing and watch it grow."

Gill, who came third in the recognition awards said:

"It's our little oasis. And it's not just us that enjoy it, the people who live in the top flats love having something nice to look down on. I received £20 for my efforts, which I'll spend on a haircut for my dog, Beamish!"

The Dorset Road 'prize guys'	Gill Gibbons
Irene Berry

Note to editors 

For more information, please contact Kate Westall, Marketing Officer, Economic Regeneration Office on 01942 705319.