TACKLING LONELINESS AND ISOLATION 

Aware that there are too many people in our village suffering from loneliness and isolation, we decided to do what we could to overturn this awful problem. 
 
We started off providing seating in the village to encourage conversation and social interaction. We then decided to enter a competition ‘North West in Bloom’ and formed a new group. Others quickly got involved; local schools, churches, nursing homes and various groups got together by planting, painting and making the village clean and tidy.
 
The photos show something of the impact!  It was remarkable to see young and old generations working together. 
 
The judging day was a huge success with hundreds of people arriving in the village for one big party to celebrate the impact of all the hard work and admire the handiwork of so many volunteers.
 
The hard work paid off and we are very proud to say that our very first entry won an award, a ‘Very Special Community Effort Award’; the only one given in the North West! The award is proudly on display at Herbert Murray Funeral Directors alongside the Silver Gilt certificate.  Please feel free to call in and take a look.  
 
We would like to say well done and thank you to all those who volunteered their precious time. We now have a village to be proud of where people can rest and chat on the seats whilst admiring the wonderful flower displays and the stories each of them tells.
 
Next year ‘In Bloom’ will be bigger and better... In Bloom will be commemorating VE Day and celebrating the 2020 Olympics.  Head over to ‘Ashton on Mersey Village Always in Bloom’ Facebook to find out more about the event.
 
Steph Douglas and Robbie Murray