A NEW plaque celebrating the work a dedicated woman put in to transform Mossley has been unveiled as a thank you.
Linda Sidebottom was the inspiration behind many of the planters and floral displays that brighten up the town.
Now a memorial marking her impact on the area has been added to one of the ornaments outside George Lawton Hall.
Linda’s input and impact on Mossley until her death last year will leave a lasting legacy and the unveiling ceremony was attended by several friends, former colleagues and members of the Good Vibes choir she was part of.
The Rev David Warner also spoke at the ceremony unveiling what is a fitting tribute for daughter Pamela, who recalls her ‘Hyacinth Bucket’ spirit.
She said: “She did a lot for Mossley In Bloom and helped set up a community garden in Micklehurst.
“Plenty of people turned up. There were members of the Town Team and my mum was part of the Good Vibes choir.
“She was also a regeneration officer for New Charter, so some came from where she used to work too. It was lovely.
“You can see mum’s work all around the town. She used to get the bids for them too and she was a definite Hyacinth Bucket – any barriers and she’d just kick her way through them!
“She’d find a way so they could get the money they needed. It’s so lovely that all the work my mum did has been recognised.”
Linda’s work and impact was rightly recognised in Mossley and friend Irene Raddings told The Correspondent it is well deserved.
She also told how her impact was felt in more than planters and flowers.
She said: “I met Linda on Micklehurst estate about 19 years ago and she said, ‘I think we should have a residents’ association.’
“From that came MERA – Micklehurst Estate Residents’ Association – then when she took early retirement, she said, ‘I’m going to be bored.’
“I suggested to her joining the Town Team as I knew she liked flowers and planting, so she came up and joined, then became secretary.
“Linda was also a member of Mossley Community Centre.
“After she passed away, the Town Team suggested having one of the planters named after her. I said, ‘Can’t we have a plaque? It would be really nice’.
“She used to guide everybody in what she thought would be best for the planters and Mossley In Bloom. She’d give advice on what to put in, what to buy and when to buy them.
“You only need to look around to see what she did. That’s why we wanted something to recognise her with.”