Volunteers help square to bloom

Staff volunteers from Wigan Council’s greenspaces team have put their green fingers to good use to make Believe Square bloom this summer ahead of the judges from The Royal Horticultural Society coming to judge Britain in Bloom.

The beautiful beds took the greenspaces team three days to dig out and plant. Each year council staff can take two days to volunteer to give something back to the community through The Deal.

And when they were being planted they caught the eye of seven-year-old Niamh Short from Hindley Green who wanted to get involved and help the team with their volunteering.

The staff gave Niamh some plants to take home with her. And now Niamh and older sister Ellie, aged nine, have been recruited to In Bloom and are planning on working with the team to do some planting where they live and improve their community.

Niamh’s mum, Lisa Woodger, said: “We were just walking past when Niamh offered to help with the planting. She got really excited because she loves gardening.”

Coun Kevin Anderson, cabinet member for environment, said: “The team have done an absolutely fantastic job.

“We have already received compliments from people saying how much better the beds look now.

“We are so proud of our beautiful borough and want the judges to see that.”

The In Bloom judges will start their visit in Believe Square when they come to judge North West in Bloom, in July, and Britain in Bloom in August.

To join your local In Bloom group or find out more contact [email protected]