SADDLEWORTH businesses and residents helped prove the community really is growing together as they scooped awards at an annual gardening ceremony.
The Growing Together awards, organised by First Choice Homes and sponsored by Emmanuel Whittaker Ltd, saw guests gather at Smokies Hotel as the winners were revealed.
The awards invite entries from across the borough whether it be a small or big garden, community garden, window box, containers or balcony.
This year they were especially looking for entries from budding young gardeners to recognise the huge positive effort by young people to create better environments and develop their own skills.
The prize was shared by Aimee Bone, from Carr Lane in Greenfield and Paige, Krystal and Scarlett Jones of Peveril Road in Derker.
The judges commented: “It’s been a pleasure to see how much Aimee has enjoyed this year of gardening.
“She clearly loves planting and growing things and she has inspired her mum and dad to join in doing their own bit of the garden too!
“Our other young winners had a great garden too, growing vegetables and flowers as well as making the garden a fun place to be.
“It was clear all the young gardeners we visited really enjoy gardening!”
Like daughter like mother, Aimee’s mum Tracy scooped second place in the baskets/containers/balconies category (Oldham East), with first place going to Jeremy Craig-Weston and Tracy Kimpton from Derker.
Meanwhile, there was a Special Recognition Award to acknowledge the work of Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group and Waterhead Academy.
They have teamed up over the last year so pupils can help develop the community garden at Dawson’s Field, providing a focal point for local activities, improving the look of the area and learning about the growing cycle.
The activities have linked back into the Academy site itself, with the community group providing propagators to the school and sharing their produce with pupils.
The award was collected by Paul and Joan Sykes, Geoffrey and Rosanne Fielding from Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group and Ann Mills and Neil Wilson from Waterhead Academy.
Saddleworth winners were also among those who received Private Gardens merit awards, including Les Chapman from Delph and Steven Lovett from Dobcross.
And two local pubs were blooming brilliant as they were honoured with Best Business merit awards – The Old Original at Scouthead and The Old Bell Inn at Delph.
The Old Bell was also named Oldham Council’s best overall business, with owner Phil Whiteman collecting the prize of a £200 voucher for summer bedding plants from Alexandra Park Nursery.
Allotment award merit winners included Lorraine Butler and Cheryl Eastwood from Diggle, while Diggle also won the Shannon Trophy for the best six plots.
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