Reg Birch Community Garden and the Richard Bentley Smalley Memorial Hall, Middleton wins Britain in Bloom award on first attempt

Thursday, 6 November 2025 12:02

By David Murphy

Reg Birch Community Garden and Richard Bentley Smalley Memorial Hall recognised with top RHS awards in first-time Britain in Bloom entries.

Middleton is celebrating national recognition after two local community spaces were honoured in this year’s Britain in Bloom campaign, both participating for the first time.

The Richard Bentley Smalley Memorial Hall received a prestigious Level 5 ‘Outstanding’ award, while the Reg Birch Community Garden was awarded a Level 4 ‘Thriving’ rating, reflecting the strength and impact of both projects in their local area.

Volunteers at both sites have spent the past year revitalising outdoor spaces, planting seasonal blooms, and creating welcoming areas for the community to enjoy.

Leah Slater, a volunteer at the awards ceremony, shared her pride at the achievement: “What a wonderful day we’ve had. I’m so grateful to be a part of this. All the hard work has paid off. For our first time being involved, it’s such an honour. Well done everyone!”

The Britain in Bloom awards are run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and celebrate excellence in community gardening across the UK. Projects are assessed on three core pillars: community participation, environmental responsibility, and horticultural achievement.

A Level 5 rating is the highest available and marks an outstanding level of delivery. The Richard Bentley Smalley Memorial Hall team’s efforts to create an inclusive and beautiful green space were highly commended by judges.

Meanwhile, Level 4 status for the Reg Birch Community Garden recognises the impressive progress made in its first year and sets the stage for continued development.

Both awards were given under the RHS ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ category, which focuses on grassroots projects led by volunteers.

Britain in Bloom is the UK’s largest community gardening campaign, run by the Royal Horticultural Society. It encourages groups to improve their local environments through gardening and community collaboration.

Middleton’s Reg Birch Community Garden is one of a growing number of Rochdale Borough green spaces receiving national awards thanks to local dedication and environmental teams. It is hoped the award will inspire further projects across the borough and encourage even more residents to get involved in future years.