A SADDLEWORTH councillor had accused Oldham Council of snubbing a village competing in a top national award.
Cllr Garth Harkness, who represents Saddleworth North, says Delph has received a ‘kick in the teeth’ over a decision surrounding the route as Oldham competes in Britain in Bloom.
Oldham was invited to take part as North West representatives in the City category after winning a gold award for North West in Bloom 2013.
The judges will visit on Monday, July 14 followed by national judging day at the end of the month.
They will travel from Lydgate through Uppermill, Delph, Dobcross, Delph, Grains Road, Sholver, Heyside, Turf Lane, Royton and down Rochdale Road into Oldham town centre to admire the borough.
But after discussions with the council about the route through Delph, Cllr Harkness expressed surprise at last month’s Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership meeting when it was revealed the proposed journey will bypass the main village.
He said: “The meeting agreed to revise the route to include a short diversion down King Street/Church Street and Garside Street.
“A lot of work, time and money has been spent in and around the centre of Delph, with some plants provided by the Council.
“I know the competition can’t go everywhere but it is a great disappointment the route seems to have been changed to its original route. It was only a tiny detour.
“It is a kick in the teeth when people have worked hard and spent money.”
The judging tour is the biggest ever undertaken by the borough and a computer glitch delayed route information being received.
But Glenn Dale, OMBC’s Group Manager for Environmental Services, said: “Decisions regarding the route have to be altered even at a minute’s notice to ensure where we go and what judges see enables us to gain the highest number of points.
“There are major building works taking place in Holland Close, Delph, that will not only affect the score but seriously delay our ability to get the judges around in the maximum 3.5 hours.
“It was decided to stop at the library, look into the village and meet residents to discuss what they do and the benefits the community bring.”
And he stressed: “We will continue to work with the community.
“My team have been working with them to ensure they are present and given their moment in the sun.”
Meanwhile, villagers have been alerted after green-fingered thieves stole pots and plants from gardens in Dobcross ahead of the contest.
And a local garden nursery has urged the Dobcross Village Community (DVC) to warn homeowners after hanging baskets with orders for blooms were stolen.
Marilyn McNeill, chair of the (DVC), said: “It is very sad when people go to the expense and effort to make the environment attractive.
“I would ask villagers with CCTV cameras to check for any suspicious night time activity and everyone else to be vigilant.”
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