In 2023 Civic pride Rossendale entered Rawtenstall town centre into the Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom competition, not once but twice. Rawtenstall was in the North West competition but also in the large town category of the national competition.

Throughout the summer our volunteers worked very hard, in all weathers, to present the town centre at it’s best. Weeds were eliminated, trees and shrubs were pruned into shape, grass was cut and trimmed, new flower beds created and existing ones packed with perennials and annuals. With invaluable help from Rossendale Borough Council, pavements were washed, railings painted and signs cleaned.

Lots of other organisations and community groups across the valley helped and supported the Civic Pride volunteers – Dementia Society, Veterans in Communities, schools and churches, The Youth Zone to name a few – and lots of businesses and Rossendale residents. Everyone wanted to celebrate Rawtenstall.

The result was a town centre that was bright and cheerful, clean and tidy, full of colour and fragrance. The result was a community that together had achieved much and had much to be proud of.

The theme of the Britain in Bloom entry was “Sunflowers, Slippers and Sparrows”. The sunflowers represent the many blooms in the gardens that have been renovated and created. The slippers represent an important part of the Rossendale history. The sparrows represent the importance of our wildlife.

The sunflower also represents Civic Pride’s connection with another local charity – Rossendale Hospice – that uses the sunflower in it’s “Summer Sunflower Memories” event.

Throughout Rossendale Hospice has been a supporter of Civic Pride and half of the proceeds from this campaign will be given to the hospice.

So where does Van Gogh come in all this? Van Gogh’s paintings of sunflowers are among his most famous. He painted them when in Arles, in the south of France, in 1888-89. The sunflowers, five paintings using three shades of yellow, had a special significance for Van Gogh. They communicated “gratitude”. On the Britain in Bloom judging days Van Gogh made a special appearance next to a bed of sunflowers at the town centre end of Bocholt Way.

Van Gogh is now making other special appearances in Rossendale to help Civic Pride and Rossendale Hospice raise money. Please show your gratitude to these two charities by making a donation that will enable them to continue with their activities.