Community planting project still growing strong in Bromley Cross

More than 100 rows of flowers are being displayed after being planted out by hand. It is the fourth year the wards councillors have paid for and arranged the displays to help evoke some community spirit.

Cllr David Greenhalgh put the planters together this week with councillors Alan and Denise Wilkinson. He said: “People still don’t realise that we pay for and plant the flowers ourselves rather than have the council do it.

“The money is raised locally and it has taken us about four days to get them ready. It has taken some time but it has really paid off. We decided to do it to create some pride in our town and we were one of the first in the borough to do it too, and others have followed our example since. A lot of people really appreciate them and people tell us they genuinely feel the area is loved.”

The troughs, planted out each winter and spring, are paid for with money raised through local events, including during the Christmas lights switch-on and village fair. Daffodil and tulip bulbs have been donated by Sean and Sam Connor from the Deree Bulb Company.

Originally councillors raised funds to pay for Bolton Council to plant the bulbs but this year, for the first time, they decided to take on the task themselves to save money.

The project cost around £1,500 a year, and sixty-five planters have been put together with hundreds of flowers and bulbswhich can be seen around Bromley Cross, Egerton and Bradshaw down to Bradshaw Brow.

Cllr Greenhalgh added: “We have put pictures out on Facebook from the planting and it’s been getting a great reaction, reaching hundreds of people.

“There have been offers from volunteers who want to get involved which is really nice as it is just us local councillors involved at the moment.

“Our intention is always to do more as there are lots of opportunities to bring the community together.”