Garden celebrating Oldham to show at rescheduled RHS festival

Northern Roots Oldham Garden will now be shown at the rescheduled RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in September 2020.

The Royal Horticultural Society has announced that RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, the world's largest flower show, will be rescheduled from July to September. Most other RHS flower shows, including RHS Chelsea, will not take place this year.

Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival attracts over 140,000 people a year. 

Anna da Silva, Project Director at Northern Roots, said: "We're thrilled that the RHS is rescheduling RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival from July to September 2020. We’re living through unprecedented times. It’s the first time the RHS have had to cancel shows since Chelsea Flower Show was cancelled during the Second World War.

"We’re proud to bring the Northern Roots Oldham Garden to RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in September for its 30th year, at what will undoubtedly be a joyous celebration." 

Celebrating Oldham's rich industrial heritage and future-facing green ambitions, the Northern Roots Oldham Garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival will showcase the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park at the world’s largest flower show. Visit https://northern-roots.uk/ for more information. 

Designed by award winning Irish designer Peter Donegan, the Northern Roots Oldham Garden embodies Oldham, incorporating York stone slabs salvaged from Oldham’s iconic Grade 2 listed Town Hall and 19th century mills, into the garden's design (see main picture). 

Peter Donegan (centre), Howard White, CED Stone Group, and Ed Burnham, Burnham Landscaping, inspect York stone salvaged from Oldham’s iconic Grade 2 listed Town Hall.

Peter said: "Not to take away from the severity of where we all are right now across the globe and in Oldham, but no matter how difficult things are, a ray of sunshine and a handful of dreams are always necessary.

"Having the support of Ashton Road-based Park cakes, the inspirational Frank Rothwell of Manchester Cabins and a selection of Oldham’s finest business and community folk by my side as we bring the Northern Roots Oldham Garden to life, is a dream come true.

"Being able to showcase Oldham as a progressive and forward-thinking place at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in September is a real honour." 

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Leader of Oldham Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, said: "Over the last few years, Oldham Council has been developing imaginative and economically sound ideas which benefit the borough and its people, but don’t rely on traditional energy sources.

"Oldham has an amazing natural and built environment, which is why we’ve worked hard to bring together and showcase the very best of our green spaces, places, people and initiatives.

"Schemes such as Northern Roots, the new Eco Centre and the work we have done around the green Oldham campaign will help us lead the way as a 'green' council. This is all part of our aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and become the greenest borough in Greater Manchester." 

The Oldham Panorama, 1876 by Squire Knott. Copyright: Gallery Oldham

The Northern Roots Oldham Garden has been made possible by the generous support of business sponsors, including Oldham-based headline sponsor Park Cakes. Other sponsors include Miocare Group, Walker Simpson Architects, Frank Rothwell of Manchester Cabins and North Lancashire Training Group.

With their support, Northern Roots has now raised a considerable portion of the £80,000 budget for the garden, which had initially been underwritten by Oldham Council.

Northern Roots is still seeking business sponsorship for the Northern Roots Oldham Garden so if you'd like to get involved, get in touch with Business Development Lead Clare Taylor. Find out more at https://northern-roots.uk/northern-roots-oldham-garden-sponsors/.