Villagers chase national success

11:10am Saturday 6th September 2008

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PROUD Howe Bridgers have entered their village in a national competition.

Following the success of the Blooming Bridgers hanging basket project the community group has entered the Britain in Bloom contest - as well as making a bid for the borough’s best kept village title.

And as thanks to everyone for their efforts this summer Wigan Council has offered to refill their panniers with winter flowers.

Bridgers’ chairman Terry Daly said: “The village still looks very bright and cheerful because of the planters and the hanging baskets even though we are now approaching the end of summer. Many thanks to everyone who has made a tremendous effort to maintain the plants to such a high standard, and hopefully we will get many more weeks of pleasure out of them.

“The offer to refill the panniers with winter flowers is an excellent gesture, and many thanks go to our local councillors for championing our cause.

A letter was read out at the community group meeting from Mark Tilley, assistant director of the highways department, thanking everyone for their help during the recent Borough in Bloom judging day.

Terry said: “The result of this competition is expected in October. Howe Bridge did get a special mention throughout the judging, so much so that we have entered the village in the local competition for the best village award and also the Britain in Bloom Competition. We are certainly a match for other villages within the same category as ourselves and who knows how the judges will perceive our efforts in Howe Bridge.”

“Ambitions have increased throughout the borough following the success of this years competition and hopefully a lasting and visible difference to our landscape will be achieved, but this can only be achieved by all the community working together as a team.”

A Wigan in Bloom Workshop is planned this month with members of many different agencies and community organisations, including the Bridgers, invited to share views and ideas for the Borough in Bloom competition in 2008 / 09. This will involve tree and bulb planting, litter pick-ups, general tidy-ups, recycling information, guardrail planters, hanging baskets and many more ways of bringing our communities together.