Published July 28, 2016 at 15:34
If you were in Rawtenstall last Thursday morning (July 21st) you may have seen a group of individuals in Civic Pride hi-vis jackets walking around admiring the gardens. 
What was remarkable was that they weren’t weeding, planting, digging, pruning, sweeping up or picking litter which is what they’ve been doing day after day, in all weathers for many weeks during the lead up to Britain in Bloom!
This was a small contingent of the many amazing Civic Pride volunteers accompanying the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) judge as he assessed the results of their efforts. Whilst we won’t know the results until later in the year he certainly appeared to be impressed at what a group of determined, motivated and hard-working volunteers can achieve.
In the evening a small group, bringing their own nibbles and drinks plus a contribution from TESCO assembled in the Old Fold Garden to celebrate, before being driven away by an extremely heavy rain shower! 
Posters were displayed to thank not only our fantastic volunteers but also to pay tribute to the support from Rossendale Borough Council without whom the general area would not have looked anywhere near as good as it does.
Volunteer Sue Shuttleworth commented
“It’s great to see that we’re recognising the important contribution the council have made, they get so much bad press but their help has been invaluable”.
If you’d like to join us or if you want help with a bit of public land that you want to turn into a community garden, please email: info@civic-pride-org.uk